The House Committee on Army has called for an increase in the 2021 capital projects for the Nigerian Army to purchase arms and ammunition needed to combat criminal elements across the country.
Rep Abdulrazaq Namdas, the Chairman House Committee on Army, said this during budget defence by the Nigeria Army on Thursday in Abuja.
The Nigerian Army is proposing a budget of N509 billion for its operations in 2021 appropriation.
This is higher than the N463 billion that was proposed in 2020 appropriation.
Namdas said that N27 billion allocated for capital projects was grossly inadequate, adding that if bandits and other criminal elements hear of the low budget, it would strengthen their criminality.
According to him, if bandits, kidnapers, Boko Haram and other criminal elements hear this, they will think Nigeria does not have money to arrest their criminality.
He commended the Army for exhibiting professionalism in the fight against insurgency and other activities, while calling on the Army to ensure strict compliance to the rules of engagement.
He said that the committee would strive to ensure a cordial relationship between the committee and the Army, adding that it was aware that the Army was having series of operations.
Namdas said that kidnapping, banditry, cattle rustling, insurgency among others that appeared to have ravaged the country showed that the Army had more on its hand to deal with.
Lt. Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, who represented the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai, said that the Nigerian Army had been making use of the money released for infrastructure and training.
He added that where there were lapses the Army would improve to get a better result.
Adeosun commended the committee’s understanding and its oversight function adding, however, that it would crave for more partnership to help the Army.
He said that concerns raised by the committee were noted adding that when the committee embarked on oversight functions it knew the gravity of the work being done by the Nigerian Army.
