By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, has reaffirmed the commitment of the House leadership to increase funding for intelligence gathering as a means to combat insecurity in Nigeria.
Speaking at a one-day public hearing on a bill seeking to establish the Nigerian Security and Intelligence Trust Fund, Dr. Abbas, represented by Hon. Victor Nwokolo, stressed that insecurity remains a major threat to national stability, leading to the loss of lives and property.
He emphasized that security agencies operate with limited resources, making it crucial to support the bill, which aims to supplement budgetary allocations for security-related initiatives.
Hon. Ahmed Satomi, the bill’s sponsor and Chairman of the House Committee on Security and Intelligence, praised stakeholders for their contributions. He stated that beyond a kinetic approach, a well-funded intelligence framework is critical to achieving lasting security solutions.
“Increasing intelligence funding will enhance research, training, and the development of security agencies,” he added.
Speaking to journalists after the hearing, the Commandant General of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Navy Captain Umar Bakori (rtd), said the trust fund is timely and necessary.
He noted that VGN members, present across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, have been sacrificing personal resources in the fight against insecurity. Adequate funding, he emphasized, will strengthen community-based security efforts.
Bakori also expressed optimism regarding the Vigilante Group of Nigeria Bill, which seeks official recognition for the group’s operations.
Representatives from the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police, DSS, Customs, Ministry of Defense, and the VGN attended the hearing, each submitting their views on the proposed bill.
The proposed Nigerian Security and Intelligence Trust Fund is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing intelligence capabilities, equipping security agencies, and improving collaboration among security stakeholders to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges effectively.
