Reps panel: We’ll provide army with needed support to address insecurity

The house of representatives committee on army says it will give the military all the necessary support to address insecurity in the country.

Aminu Balele, chairman of the committee, spoke on Monday after a meeting with Olufemi Oluyede, the chief of army staff (COAS).

The COAS appeared before the lawmakers to defend the 2025 budget of the Nigerian Army.

“We are committed to providing unwavering support, fostering cooperation, and maintaining solidarity with our military counterparts,” Balele said.

“Rest assured, this committee’s determination to champion the welfare of our troops, ensure adequate power provisions and promote capacity building at all levels remains steadfast.”

Balele said the committee “analysed and scrutinised” the performance of the army’s 2024 budget and was satisfied.

“More importantly, before we move into 2025 (budget), we ask so many fundamental questions, particularly about the happenings in the country and the way forward,” the committee chairman said.

“They give us some security input. We have to support them to see that in the next in a short of time, they have addressed the question of this insecurity largely in all over the country.”

The lawmaker described the implementation of the army’s 2024 budget performance as “excellent,” noting that it has attained over 99 percent.

“We have done our best as the national assembly, particularly the house of representatives.”