By Lawan Hamidu, Abuja
The Nigerian House of Representatives has pledged to investigate the quality of arms and ammunition the country’s armed forces and other security agencies have been using in the last decade.
This is to ensure adequate and proper provision of equipment in the fight against insurgency and other insecurity in the country.
The chairman House Adhoc Committee on the review of purchase, use and control of arms ammunition and hardware by military and other security agencies, Mr. Akinremi Olaide stated this at the inauguration of the Committee in Abuja.
Mr. Olaide who expressed concern that Nigerian Security Budget was the least globally said the committee and the House would continue to use its legislative power to improve on it, for the country to be more secure and safe.
The lawmaker said “It has become necessary to review the purchase, use and control of arms, ammunition and related hardware by military, paramilitary and other law enforcement agencies in Nigeria.”
Support from Military
He called for support from military and paramilitary agencies to be able to deliver, that it was through evidence gathering that the committee would be able to deliver on its mandate.
Mr. Olaide called for cooperation among security agencies, that the National Assembly was empowered to procure evidence, written or oral that would enable it do its job of curtailing the menace of arm proliferation
Also speaking, a member from Sokoto State, Ibrahim Aliyu who sponsored a motion on the need to review the purchase of arms and ammunition in the country, said the move is to tackle inadequacy in the provision of arms and ammunition to security agencies.
Aliyu explained that reviewing the ammunition purchase would also provide the opportunity to reduce the proliferation of arms and ammunition in the country.
“Security situation bedeviling the country ranging from kidnapping, banditry, insurgency among others had become a source of worry.
It iss disturbing that those arrested for the heinous crime carried arms and ammunition unchecked; adding that how they were able to get those arms should be probed.” The lawmaker added.
Those present at the inauguration include, representatives of all the service chiefs, Inspector General of Police, Comptroller Generals of Customs, Immigration, Correctional Service, Director General Department of State Service, Ministers of Finance and Defence among others.
Confidence Okwuchi
