The Nigerian House of Representatives is adopting legislative measures to strengthen the country’s armed forces to meet the current security challenges.
Chairman House Committee on Defence, Mr. Babajimi Benson made the remark in Abuja, at a screening of the Chief of Army Staff by the joint House Committees on Defence and Army.
While challenging the new Chief of Army Staff to be more proactive and innovative in dealing with the security challenges, Mr. Benson explained that providing more support to the armed forces would rid the country of insurgency, banditry and other criminalities.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria needs to adopt innovative measures to curb the killings and wanton destruction of property as a result of these cases of insecurity.
I therefore, hope that, if confirmed, the New Chief of Army Staff will do everything possible, working with other service chiefs, to bring this to an end,” Mr. Benson stated.
Discharging their constitutional mandate
The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Faruk Yahaya, while commending the National Assembly for its support to security agencies urged Nigerians to support the armed forces in discharging their constitutional mandate.
General Yahaya said “This job is collective and like you have seen in the Operation Hadin Kai, and it was even captured in the Vision of the late Chief of Army Staff and in my own vision too, there is also mention of a joint environment in what we do.”
The Minister of Defence, General Bashir Salihi Magashi represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Musa Istifanus expressed the hope that with well trained, adequately equipped and well-motivated personnel, Nigeria will be more secure and safer.
“I am convinced that the partnership between the House and Ministry of Defence will further entrenched our efforts towards improving the security and development of our nation,” Mr. Istafanus explained.
The screening exercise is part of the statutory roles of the legislature in line with the concept of checks and balances in a constitutional democracy.
Lateefah Ibrahim
Leave a Reply