House of Reps Committee on Defence Visits NDA, calls for more funding

……… As Hon Atu insists on change of tactics

The House of Representatives Committee on Defence on Monday paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna, as part of its ongoing oversight on military training facilities in the country.

Speaking to newsmen during the visit in Kaduna, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Babajimi Benson, said the three military training institutes have continued to demonstrate training and research strengths, which can be felt by all in the manner in which our military officers engage criminals tactically.

He pleaded with the executive arm of the government to pay more attention to the funding of all the military training institutes in Nigeria.

According to him, “when the institutions are properly funded, they will do their job better. Our three military training institutes have been trying, but they still need more funding to get to the level they want to be. We have seen how they train our officers both on land, air, and sea engagement, which has also helped to keep our country safe from some criminal elements.”

Addressing the press, the member representing Enugu North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu, who also represents Enugu State in the Defence committee, called for a change of tactics in the fight against terrorism in the country.

He stated that the kinetic approach alone adopted by the military in its engagements can’t solve the country’s astronomical security challenges. Hon. Atu explained that the fight against terrorism and agitations can’t be kinetic alone as there is a need to look at a more holistic approach.

“We are impressed with what we saw on the ground here, but the training has to look at other areas. We can’t continue to use the same strategy all the time and expect different results in its fight against terrorism, banditry, insurgency, and other vices both in the North and other parts of the country, but there is a need to review our methods going forward. That is why the executives must see the need to increase their finances for more success.”