The federal government has been asked to increase the 2025 budgetary allocation to intelligence agencies in the country to enable them provide the needed assistance in the fight against terrorism and other security challenges bedevilling the country.
Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Ahmed Satomi, who made this known during the budget defence session of agencies under the Office of the National Security Adviser, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to direct the Minister of Finance to ensure full release of the 2024 capital allocation to the security and intelligence sector.
Satomi acknowledged the appreciable increase in allocation to the security sector in the 2025 budget but insisted that the intelligence subsector must be given same attention, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts in ensuring the security and welfare of Nigerian citizens.
The committee chairman maintained that the Committee’s oversight jurisdiction encompasses critical agencies that play vital roles in maintaining national security, stating that it is the duty of everyone to ensure that they are adequately equipped to discharge their mandates in a responsible and accountable manner.
The 2025 budget shows that the intelligence subsector was allocated 595 billion naira, out of which proposed capital expenditure allocation stands at 274 billion naira with overhead allocation receiving 107.9 billion naira while personnel cost got 212 billion naira.
MUST READ:Former Nasarawa House Of Reps Member Abducted, Police Escort Killed
Permanent Secretary, Special Services in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Mohammed Danjuma said the budget is tailored towards addressing the evolving security challenges facing the nation, ensuring the effective coordination of security agencies, seamless intelligence gathering and information sharing, as well as other specialized services to enhance National Security.
Danjuma noted that the budget will enhance coordination and collaboration towards strengthening partnerships among security agencies, improving existing operational facilities and providing equipment to support efficient service delivery, upgrading the skills and expertise of personnel to address emerging security threats.
Agencies at the budget defence include the Office of the National Security Adviser, Directorate of State Services, National Intelligence Agency, Presidential Air Fleets, National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), National Counter Terrorism Centre and the National Cybercrimes Coordination Centre.
(Editor: Okechukwu Eze)
