Nigeria’s Security Forces Overstretched – Army Chief

The Chief of Army Staff, Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, on Tuesday warned that Nigeria’s security agencies are facing an impossible task in protecting the country’s 200 million-strong population.

Speaking at the 2024 Distinguished Personality Lecture in Ilorin, Kwara State, Lagbaja disclosed the reality of Nigeria’s security challenges.

He said:
“It is unrealistic to expect security agencies, totalling around two million personnel, including an army of just over 100,000 active personnel without a reserve force, to secure the entire population.”

The General, represented by Chief of Army Training, Maj Gen Sanni Mohammed, also complained over Nigeria’s reliance on imported defence equipment.

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According to him, “We import over 90% of our military needs,” adding that despite some local production efforts, the country’s dependence on foreign military supplies remains overwhelming.

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The Army Chief further lamented the inadequate funding of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), which has greatly impacted operational performance.

He said:

“In 2023, the entire AFN had a budget of around $2.8 billion, with an additional supplementary budget of approximately $1 billion. However, not all budgetary allocations were fully released.”

Lagbaja stressed that addressing the security personnel gap requires investment in expanding and strengthening security forces as the “National security requires all citizens to be part of the security framework, fostering vigilance, trust, and community engagement.”

Also speaking, Prof Wahab Egbewole, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, charged the audience on the importance of peace and security for sustainable development.

The event, organized by the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies at the University of Ilorin, in collaboration with the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji, marked the United Nations (UN) International Day of Peace.