The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has demanded the procurement of more modern equipment for the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to end banditry and terrorism in the country.
A statement issued by Daberechi Asonye, for the Director of Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Defence on Thursday claimed Matawalle said this during the presentation of the 2025 budget proposal.
The statement said that the minister appeared before the joint committees of the National Assembly in Abuja on Thursday.
In his remarks, the minister emphasised the necessity of strong collaboration with MPs, noting that both the House and Senate Committees had demonstrated steadfast commitment and cooperation.
READ MORE:Burkina Faso President, Ibrahim Traoré Bans British, French Judicial Wigs
He emphasised that their unwavering support has been important in the ministry’s success to date. He described the current budget as insufficient given the modern security challenges faced by the nation.
“With the right equipment, we can significantly resolve the battle against banditry.
“The Ministry of Defence is tasked with providing essential equipment to various regions, a goal that remains unfulfilled due to budget constraints.
“In 2024, we were only able to procure some Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs). We need more APCs to tackle insecurity swiftly”, he said.
Matawalle expressed confidence that the legislative bodies would consider increasing the budget allocation for the ministry.
Follow Parallel Facts on WhatsApp Channel:https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
