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On Tuesday, the House of Representatives conducted a public hearing to discuss a proposed legislation aimed at creating the Nigerian Security and Intelligence Trust Fund, designed to offer a supplementary financial resource for security entities, notably the armed forces.
The legislation, put forward by Ahmed Satomi, who represents Jere Federal Constituency in Borno State, seeks to bolster Nigeria’s security and intelligence framework, enabling these bodies to more efficiently carry out their constitutional duty of safeguarding lives and property.
The session took place at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja and was officially inaugurated by the Speaker, Mr. Tajudeen Abbas, in the presence of fellow federal legislators.
Addressing participants, Speaker Abbas described security as a major challenge in the country.
“We cannot overlook the loss of human lives and material resources caused by banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, oil and solid minerals theft, and insurgency, among other issues. These have collectively deterred investors and created humanitarian crises by displacing families.
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“They have also contributed to food insecurity, as many farmers have abandoned their farms. It is therefore imperative that we use legal instruments to address these challenges effectively,” Abbas said.
He urged participants to provide valuable insights, stating, “This public hearing is organised to allow members of the public to make informed contributions that will assist the House of Representatives in deciding on the establishment of the Nigerian Security and Intelligence Trust Fund.
“The Fund would help increase the funding of security agencies and enhance their capacity for intelligence gathering, training, and procurement of equipment, with the overall goal of addressing security challenges at their roots.”
He also cautioned against potential conflicts between the proposed legislation and existing laws.
“I must remind everyone that as we navigate this process, we must consider the existing laws governing security agencies to ensure that, in solving a problem, we do not create a new one through duplication of functions and roles.
“I expect a thorough examination of the proposed law and recommendations that will guide the House in its legislative duties,” he added.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Ahmed Satomi, explained that the bill aims to provide funding for security and intelligence matters beyond the regular budgetary provisions.
“This Fund will primarily be used for the training and retraining of personnel in Nigerian security agencies, the procurement of state-of-the-art security and intelligence equipment, and the development of necessary infrastructure to enhance the technical competency and operational readiness of security personnel.
“The Fund will also support the upgrade and maintenance of training institutions to global standards and allocate resources for research and development. The outcomes of such research will help intelligence agencies, the armed forces, and relevant paramilitary bodies keep pace with the world’s best security agencies in this digital age,” he said.
