The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has urged the Federal Government to strengthen and adequately fund the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to enable it take full responsibility for internal security, allowing the military to concentrate on external defence operations.
Oluyede made the call on Wednesday during his screening before the Senate, where he emphasized that inadequate funding of the armed forces continues to limit the nation’s fight against terrorism and other security threats.
Reflecting on his over three decades of military service, Oluyede described his tenure as Chief of Army Staff as both challenging and rewarding, noting that insecurity in several parts of the country had declined under his leadership.
“The police need to be restructured and strengthened. Many internal security roles currently handled by the military rightly belong to the police. Empowering the Nigeria Police Force will allow the Army to focus more on external defence and counterterrorism operations,” he said.
The Defence Chief also stressed the need for sustainable financing and local production of military equipment, warning that dependence on imported hardware is both costly and unsustainable.
According to him, “The fight against insecurity requires a whole-of-society approach. Security should not be left solely to the armed forces. Every citizen, institution, and community has a role to play in making Nigeria safer.”
Oluyede further appealed to lawmakers to enact laws regulating the sharing of sensitive security information to promote effective inter-agency collaboration.
Commending his record of service, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described Oluyede as a “field officer who leads from the front,” noting that no part of Nigeria currently hoists the Boko Haram flag under his watch.
“You are not a general who sits in the office. You have served meritoriously in the theatre of operations. We are proud of your service,” Akpabio said.
Meanwhile, during the screening, the Chief of Naval Staff nominee, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, opposed the proposed bill seeking to establish a Nigerian Coast Guard, saying it would duplicate the functions of the Navy.
Abbas advised that resources earmarked for the new agency be redirected to the Nigerian Navy to strengthen maritime security.
After the appearances of Oluyede and other service chiefs — Maj.-Gen. Waheedi Shaibu (Army), Rear Admiral Idi Abbas (Navy), and Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke (Air Force) — the Senate went into a closed-door session to deliberate on national security matters.
Akpabio explained that the session was necessary, stating that “security is a serious national business that requires confidentiality.”
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