Defence Minister requests 50 Armoured Personnel Carriers, promises to flush out bandits in 2 months
Defence Minister requests 50 Armoured Personnel Carriers, promises to flush out bandits in 2 months
The Minister of Defence, Mr Mohammed Abubakar has requested the House of Representatives to provide additional 50 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) in the 2025 budget to flush out bandits in the country.
Abubakar made the request on Tuesday at the 2025 budget defence session organised by the House Committee on Defence in Abuja.
He said that with the equipment, the fight against banditry in the country would be over in two months.
“The Ministry of Defence is supposed to provide some equipment for some of the zones, but we cannot.
“Out of what we had in 2024, we were only able to provide just 20 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) but what can 20 APCs do.
“If we are able to have 50 APCs that can go into the bush to flush out those criminals. I assure you, within two months, we will finish the issue of banditry but there is no provision for that in the 2025 budget.
“I believe this House will consider more funding to the Ministry of Defense, so that we can be able to provide some equipment to some fresh areas of attacks,” he said.
The minister said that there was need to review the budget of the ministry to also provide for the welfare of officers and men of the military.
He said that N20 billion is required to address the backlog of the Group Life Insurance for military personnel.
Abubakar said that the ministry has not been able to pay some entitlement for military personnel in theaters of operations, urging the House to squeeze and add more funding to the ministry.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Benson Babajimi (APC-Lagos), said that the request would be considered by the committee.
Babajimi reaffirmed the commitment of the 10th House of Representatives to supporting the Armed Forces in their noble mission.
He said that the House remains steadfast in its resolve to ensure a peaceful, secure and prosperous Nigeria.
According to him, the budget defense is, therefore, not just a legislative exercise but a reaffirmation of our collective responsibility to the Nigerian people.
Babajimi said that over the years, the Armed Forces of Nigeria had demonstrated remarkable commitment and professionalism.
According to him, they achieved significant progress in countering insurgency, terrorism, banditry and other forms of insecurity.
“National Assembly has consistently prioritised the defense sector in the national budget, with increased allocations in recent years.
“However, with these enhanced resources comes a heightened expectation for prudent, transparent and impactful utilization.
“As representatives of the people, it is our duty to ensure that every naira is judiciously spent to strengthen the operational capacity of the Armed Forces and deliver tangible results.
“This year’s budget defense is particularly significant as it comes against the backdrop of evolving global and domestic security threats. These recent developments highlight the need for heightened vigilance and inter-agency collaboration.
“We must leverage intelligence, technology, and best practices to neutralize emerging threats and safeguard our citizens,” he said.
The chairman urged all defense agencies to prioritise strategic initiatives that align with national security objectives. (NAN)
News
President Tinubu returns to Nigeria after Abu Dhabi outing
President Tinubu returns to Nigeria after Abu Dhabi outing
President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after participating in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026).
Presidential spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.
The president attended the summit alongside some members of his cabinet.
On the sidelines of the summit, Nigeria signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The agreement is aimed at deepening economic cooperation, boosting bilateral trade and investment, and enhancing technology transfer.
It will also expand collaboration in key sectors, including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, mining and renewable energy.
In his address at the summit, Tinubu announced that Nigeria and the UAE would jointly host INVESTOPIA in Lagos in February.
The initiative is designed to attract global investors and accelerate sustainable investment inflows into Nigeria.
Tinubu also said Nigeria targets mobilising up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance.
He said the funds would support energy transition reforms and expand nationwide access to electricity. (NAN)
News
APC clears air on receiving letter of defection from another State Governor
APC clears air on receiving letter of defection from another State Governor
The Zamfara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied receiving a letter from Gov. Dauda Lawal seeking to defect to the party.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there were speculations across the state over Lawal’s move to defect to APC.
A statement issued in Gusau on Saturday by the state APC Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris, described the speculations as fabricated.
“The party came across a fabricated report purported to have emanated from one Tambarin Gusau claiming that Go Dauda Lawal has sent a letter to the party wanting to join the APC.
“The report is malicious, unfortunate, unfounded, mischievous and showed the unprofessional manner which some people can go in misleading others and causing chaos in a stable and a peaceful party like the APC.
“The APC has responsible channels where everything is done in a guided manner,” Idris said.
According to him, the party has not received any letter from Lawal as claimed through the imagination of the writer nor was the party aware of any recent moves by the governor to defect from the PDP to the APC.
“All members of the party and indeed the public especially in Zamfara should therefore disregard such report.,” Idris added.(NAN)
News
282 Passengers safe as plane makes emergency landing in Lagos
282 Passengers safe as plane makes emergency landing in Lagos
A Qatar Airways passenger plane on Friday made an emergency landing at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos after developing a technical fault mid-flight.
The aircraft, which had 248 passengers and 12 crew members on board, was forced to land abruptly after the malfunction was detected while it was operating within Nigerian airspace.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement released by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.
According to him, the agency was alerted to the situation through its 767 and 112 toll-free emergency lines, prompting an immediate response from emergency officials.
He explained that upon receiving the distress call, the LASEMA Response Team (LRT) was swiftly deployed to the airport to assess the situation and provide necessary support.
“Upon arrival at the scene, the LASEMA Response Team confirmed that the aircraft was in distress,” the statement noted.
“The pilot executed a safe landing on the runway at Murtala Mohammed International Airport with LASEMA Response Team and other emergency responders standing by on extreme high alert on the runway.
“Collaborative efforts of the multi-agency responders were coordinated. After proper check by the pilot and the engineering crew, the aircraft was moved to the apron for detailed inspection and prompt repairs.”
“All passengers of the distressed airplane were evacuated safely; no injuries reported, no loss of lives,” the statement said.
Despite the technical issue and the emergency landing, the agency stated that there was the aircraft experienced no major damage.
“The aircraft has been secured on the apron. Recovery activities have been completed,” the statement added.
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