The Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle, has called for greater collaboration and increased funding for the Defence sector to effectively tackle banditry and other criminal activities in the country.
This appeal was made during the presentation of the 2025 budget proposal for the Ministry of Defence to the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Defence at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
In his address, Matawalle emphasized the importance of a strong partnership with lawmakers, recognizing their ongoing support as vital to the Ministry’s past successes. However, he also pointed out that the current budget is inadequate in addressing the modern security challenges facing the nation. He stressed that with the proper equipment, significant progress could be made in the fight against banditry.
Matawalle specifically highlighted the need for more Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), explaining that although some APCs were procured in 2024, more are urgently required to swiftly address security issues in regions experiencing fresh attacks. He urged the legislative bodies to consider increasing the budget allocation for the Ministry of Defence, ensuring the necessary resources are available to provide crucial equipment and support operations aimed at curbing banditry and ensuring national security.
