Security chiefs meet Reps., highlight challenges against Nigeria’s security sectors

The Nigerian Police boss, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has highlighted a series of challenges militating against the operation of the force while also pointing out some key priorities in a bid to improve the security situation in the country.

The IGP, who is appearing before the House of Representatives, and other service chiefs said challenges within the force, including poor logistics provision, insufficient patrol vehicles for police divisions, inadequate training, and poor welfare of personnel, have hindered the performance of the police in the fight against criminal activities.

Other service chiefs at the hearing with the lawmakers are the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar; and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.

On his part, CDS Musa asked for an increased budget, revealing that every military man, including himself, is fed N1,500 each day.

The defence chief sought the judiciary’s assistance in ensuring that criminals are not released on technicalities while calling for the establishment of  special courts to address the arrest of high-level offenders.

He also highlighted that Simon Ekpa, one of the key leaders of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was a threat to the country and that diplomatic action was required to end his reign of terror in the south-east.

After a round of questions from the lawmakers, the House went into an executive session to receive answers from the security heads.

Earlier, the lawmakers expressed anger over the absence of the service chiefs and the IGP, who were scheduled to meet with the lawmakers last Thursday during plenary.