Defence Minister Appeals for Increased Funding to Combat Terrorism and Banditry

The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, has called for greater collaboration and increased funding for the Defence sector in order to effectively combat banditry and other forms of criminality that threaten the nation’s security.

Matawalle made this appeal during the presentation of the 2025 Budget Proposal for the Ministry of Defence to the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Defence at the National Assembly in Abuja.

In his address, the Minister highlighted the significance of continuous collaboration with lawmakers, praising their unwavering commitment and support for the ministry’s efforts to improve national security. According to a statement issued by Daberechi Asonye, for the Director of Information, Ministry of Defence, Matawalle expressed deep appreciation for the instrumental role the National Assembly has played in achieving the ministry’s goals.

A key point in his speech was the issue of funding. Matawalle stated that the current budget allocation was inadequate to address the modern security challenges Nigeria faces, particularly in combating terrorism and banditry.

He emphasized, “With the right equipment, we can significantly resolve the battle against banditry,” stressing that more resources were needed to procure advanced security tools, especially in regions where security threats remain high.

The Minister cited the limited procurement of Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) in 2024 as an example of how budget constraints had hindered the ministry’s efforts. “In 2024, we were only able to procure some APCs. We need more APCs to tackle insecurity swiftly,” he said, noting that these vehicles are vital for operations against armed criminals.

Matawalle urged the National Assembly to consider increasing the defence budget allocation to meet the growing security demands and to provide the necessary equipment for regions grappling with heightened attacks. He called for urgent action to enable the military to launch more effective and decisive actions against criminal elements.

While speaking to the Senate and House Committees on Defence, the Minister also thanked the leadership of the committees for their continued support. He expressed optimism that with increased funding and enhanced collaboration, the Ministry of Defence would be better equipped to align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, aimed at restoring peace and security across the nation.

In response, the leadership of the Defence committees assured Matawalle of their continued support, expressing their commitment to working alongside the Ministry of Defence to ensure that the security needs of the country are met in alignment with the President’s vision for a safer Nigeria.