Kunle Adelabu
The Chairman, House Committee on Defence, Rep. Babajimi Adegoke Benson, has reinforced his committee’s readiness to continue to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture, supporting its Armed Forces and ensuring that every citizen is safe.
He emphasised the need to restructure the Nigeria Police and make it the first line of defence and adequate investment in Nigerian armed forces as ways to tackle the security situations across the country effectively.
Hon. Benson who is representing the Ikorodu Federal Constituency for the third term, spoke at a Special Session on National Security on the floor of the House.
The lawmaker has been part of high -powered delegations that have been interfacing with the American government on strategic issues.
“Mr Speaker, indeed we live in interesting times. It was America that created the world, “VUCA”, so, we live in a VUCA world at the moment – volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous.
“Today, I rise not as the Chairman, House Committee on Defence but as a voice of millions of Nigerians who yearn for and rightly deserve a country that is safe, peaceful, united and prosperous.”
Rep Benson emphasised that the lack of military equipment to deal decisively with the terrorists is caused by what the country expended in Sierra Leone, Liberia and other missions which it is now finding difficult to replace.
”If you recall the day of yore, the Nigerian military excelled in many different fronts including Liberia, and Sierra Leone. We went into those countries with full force of our arsenals that were purchased under the regime of President Shehu Shagari.
“We went with our full arsenal: we went, we saw and we conquered, but also did something that no nation will ever do – we were honest. We went there to assist our sister nation. We did not stay to milk and make money out of their predicaments.
“Mr Speaker, what most nations do – they recoup and replace their equipment that they have expended in countries like that, but Nigeria didn’t do that. So, we are suffering from the decay of trying to replace our equipment which has been a very difficult task.
“We have not had friends indeed who would support the arsenal that we had in the days of yore,” he said on the floor of the House of Representatives.
While stating that ISWAP and terrorist groups are having field days in disturbing the peace and security of the country, Rep. Benson pointed at the evacuation of French forces in the Sahel region and deposition of President Muammar Gaddafi, as major sources of what is causing threats to the country.
He said that the house through the committee on Defence is working with necessary institutions to strengthen the Nigerian security architecture.
“Mr Speaker, across the borders of our country as a result of that, we also have issues from the Sahel region, where France has left the Sahel countries and there is no boot on the ground. Then, the French armed forces used to prevent ISWAP and other extremists from strolling into Nigeria, but now, they are out of the place and these countries are now run by military juntas. That’s a big problem.
“We also have the problem of Libya. Ever since Ghadaffi has been deposed, Libya has been in a sorry state with light and heavy duty weapons having free – flow into Nigeria, thus, compounding the huge regional problem that we are facing.
“Despite all these threats, our strategic leadership, growing institutions, and ongoing reforms are impacting positively. As we speak, there is a grand plan to improve the welfare of the police and the armed forces. As we are here, there is a committee setup to look into the institutions and security architecture – police barracks, and training institutions. That committee is led by none other than the Governor of Enugu State. It’s a work in progress.
“Also, we are hoping to grow the economy into a $1 trillion economy. The process is on. Our exchange rate is stable and our external reserve is growing but we have frailties which have to do with security. Security infrastructures, no doubt need to be stepped – up in order for us to attain the eminence that our good qualities offer.”
Speaking on the efforts of the House, he said: “Though, a bullet can overcome a terrorist, but only good governance, opportunities and inclusion can overcome terrorism. No doubt, we must begin to strengthen our intelligence and early warning system. We must begin with actionable intelligence. No modern security system succeeds without the ability to detect threats before they escalate.
“The House with its committee is working on this. The House is working on strengthening the coordination between the DIA, DSS, Police, NIA and State Security Units. The House is working assiduously to regionalise intelligence vision centres across the six geo – political zones.
“The House is in support of modern surveillance technologies – drones, sensors and data analysis. We are proud of our meeting with the NSA and the trip to America. Tangible results have been gotten. The American government has signed an MoU with our country to assist in providing actionable intelligence towards eradicating these bandits.”
Rep. Benson, stating that 80% of terrorism threats happen in school, religious centres and farms, called for serious focus on these areas.
“Mr Speaker, security is not only ensured when information flows seamlessly and rapidly, but when it is also used in taking action. In this decade, research results from leading domestic and global scholars have provided information on Nigeria’s move towards peace. Evidence from such studies concludes that 80% of terrorist attacks in Nigeria occur in three locations – schools, religious centres and farms. Categorising all the schools, religious centres and farms in each local government based on their current and projected vulnerability is now minimum requirements.
“In risk assessment, these locations must now be a priority. It is something that the parliament should also ensure that it is done.”
He also called for restructuring of the Nigeria Police to serve as the first line of internal defence, focusing on state and community policing and modernizing the armed forces by investing in modern tools and partnership with other countries.
