Sani Musa, senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, has called on President Bola Tinubu to demand accountability from the country’s service chiefs over funds allocated to the security sector.
The senator made the call during plenary on Wednesday amid growing concerns over worsening insecurity across the country.
His remarks come in the wake of nationwide protests over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo and Borno states by suspected terrorists.
Musa said the federal government must scrutinise how security funds appropriated by the National Assembly have been utilised if the country is to effectively tackle insecurity.
“It is high time now that Mr. President, in his wisdom, called the service chiefs to account for the resources that this National Assembly has been budgeting for,” he said.
“Because if this is not done, the issue of overcoming this issue of security is going to be a child’s play.”
SECURITY FUNDS LIKELY INVESTED IN REAL ESTATE
The lawmaker also questioned the source of wealth behind the country’s booming real estate sector, suggesting that security spending and public finances deserve closer scrutiny.
“Today, go and check the economy,” he said.
“Go and check how the economy plays. Today, if you look at the indices that even give the growth to our GDP and areas where these expenditures are going, you will see that real estate is playing a role in this country.”
“Who are the owners of these real estates? How does the resources come?”
Musa said lawmakers must exercise their oversight responsibilities without fear or favour.
“I think there is a responsibility upon us as legislators to do our oversight without fear of failure,” he said.
“We need to do it. We have been allocating resources.”
According to him, defence consistently received one of the largest budgetary allocations in recent years, yet insecurity has continued to worsen.
“At a time, three of our budgets, defence was carrying the highest,” he said.
“And yet, every day, it is either we don’t have the arms, or the money is not there to pay allowances for our servicemen.”
“Where is the money going to?”
The senator argued that a thorough review of defence spending is necessary to determine whether funds allocated to security agencies are being properly utilised.
“Not until we do this scrutiny, we will not be able to get it right,” he said.
“Because security goes hand in hand with expenditure.”
