The House of Representatives’ Committee on Defence has emphasized the urgent need for enhanced funding of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), citing its pivotal role in Nigeria’s security framework.
The committee, led by its chairman, Hon. Babajimi Benson, made this assertion during its inaugural oversight visit to the DIA headquarters in Abuja. Benson underscored the strategic importance of intelligence-driven approaches in tackling the nation’s complex security challenges.
“There are three intelligence agencies in Nigeria: the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). Among these, the DIA stands out for its dual mandate, handling both domestic and international intelligence. Despite this, its funding lags significantly behind the DSS and NIA,” Benson stated.
He highlighted the critical contributions of the DIA, noting that its work has enabled the armed forces to effectively address security concerns while providing vital intelligence from within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.
“Our review of the budgetary allocations for these agencies reveals a disparity that must be corrected. The DIA, which wears two hats—domestic and foreign intelligence—receives the least funding among the three. This is surprising given its extensive responsibilities,” Benson remarked.
The committee acknowledged the agency’s accomplishments despite limited resources and pledged to advocate for increased funding to ensure its operations are on par with its counterparts.
“We will make this a priority recommendation to Mr. President. The Defence Intelligence Agency has enormous potential, and its contributions have been instrumental in the significant reduction of insecurity across the country. It is imperative that the DIA receives the support it needs to sustain and enhance its efforts,” Benson added.
The visit reinforced the committee’s commitment to fostering a robust and well-funded intelligence infrastructure to safeguard Nigeria’s security interests.
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