As deadly attacks intensify across Nigeria’s North-East, a chorus of voices from within the country’s defence and political establishments is raising urgent concerns: terrorists appear to be better armed than the nation’s military.
In a somber session of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, lawmakers described the situation as a national emergency, following a deadly assault on a military facility in Giwa Barracks, Borno State. The attack, paired with a fire outbreak in the same facility on May 1, has reawakened fears that Boko Haram insurgents may be regaining momentum.
Despite a record ₦4.91 trillion allocated to security in the proposed 2025 budget—nearly 10% of the national budget—troops on the frontlines reportedly remain under-equipped and vulnerable, drawing condemnation from retired senior military officers and civil society observers.
“Not About Panic—About Parity”
“The question of whether terrorists are better armed than the Nigerian military is no longer rhetorical,” warned Brig. Gen. Peter Aro (rtd.), one of several retired officers sounding the alarm. “Insurgents now deploy encrypted communications, drones, night-vision optics, and GPS-guided munitions.”
In a powerful indictment of Nigeria’s defence readiness, Aro added, “The battlefield has shifted from muscle to machine. Without matching this evolution, we risk sending brave soldiers into asymmetric warfare ill-equipped for modern threats.”
Aro praised the leadership of the current Chief of Army Staff, calling him “one of the most competent, tested, and forward-thinking” officers Nigeria has had in recent times. But he warned that strategic leadership alone cannot compensate for poor funding execution or lack of political will. “What he needs now is not just commendation but actual capacity—funds, equipment, and a real plan for modern war.”
Retired Officers Echo Call for High-Tech Intelligence, Oversight
Also speaking out, Brig. Gen. Bashir Adewinbi (rtd.) said the military urgently requires surveillance drones, intelligence platforms, and tracking technologies to stay ahead of insurgents. “They are using advanced gear. Our soldiers need to match that firepower—and surpass it,” he stressed.
Adewinbi called for strong political will to root out those exploiting the insurgency for gain. “This is not just a military problem. Some political actors may be benefitting from the chaos. Anyone involved—no matter how powerful—must be exposed and prosecuted.”
He also flagged Nigeria’s porous borders as a “free entry zone” for terrorists and arms dealers: “Anybody can come in and leave as they like. That has to stop.”
Follow the Money, Says Ex-Air Force Spokesman
Group Captain Sadique Shehu (rtd.), a former Nigerian Air Force spokesperson, said without robust oversight, defence spending may continue to yield poor results. “The military is swimming in funds,” he said bluntly, “but are those funds being used effectively?”
He placed responsibility squarely on elected officials. “Nigerians did not elect the Chief of Army Staff. They elected the president and lawmakers. So where’s the oversight? If you give someone ₦1 million and don’t ask how it’s spent, don’t be surprised when there are no results.”
Shehu used a domestic analogy to make his point: “If you give your wife money for groceries and she spends it all on gold, the children go hungry. That’s what’s happening in our security sector.”
National Assembly: Nigerians May Lose Patience
The debate reached a boiling point on the House floor when Ahmed Satomi (APC, Borno) moved a motion of urgent public importance on the escalating attacks in Borno and Yobe States.
“There’s a fire raging, and it’s getting closer,” Satomi said, referring to the May 1 fire incident that rocked the armoury at Giwa Barracks, which the military later blamed on “friendly fire” exacerbated by extreme heat.
Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau) issued a grim warning: “If action is not taken, Nigerians will take their destiny in their hands. The government is losing legitimacy in the eyes of its people. We are nearing a tipping point.”
A War Nigeria Cannot Afford to Lose
The message is clear: despite record-breaking defence budgets, insecurity persists because of what many now see as a failure of strategy, oversight, and political resolve.
If the Federal Government fails to act swiftly—by procuring modern combat technology, plugging border gaps, and enforcing transparency in military spending—retired generals and lawmakers fear the hard-won gains against Boko Haram may be reversed.
“This isn’t about fear,” Aro concluded. “It’s about survival.”
