Senators demand an audit of defence spending as insecurity worsens

Amidst escalating insecurity across Nigeria, several senators are calling for a thorough audit of the nation's defense spending. They urge the Presidency and the National Assembly to scrutinize how funds allocated to security agencies have been utilized.

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What I want to say this afternoon with profound respect is that it doesn’t appear to me that we have carried out an audit. By this I mean to refer to each of those resolutions that we have passed in the past, to ask ourselves as a consequence what specific actions have been taken based on those resolutions.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole of Edo North and Senator Sani Musa of Niger East voiced these concerns during a debate on the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State. Oshiomhole expressed frustration that despite repeated debates and resolutions on insecurity, the Senate has failed to track their implementation and impact.

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If past resolutions did not change anything, why should we believe that today’s own will be different? And if today’s own will not be different, why should we waste our precious time on it?

"If past resolutions did not change anything, why should we believe that today’s own will be different?" Oshiomhole questioned, emphasizing the need for accountability. He specifically referenced a Senate resolution from the previous year concerning the abduction of schoolchildren in Kebbi State. The resolution demanded the military identify an officer allegedly responsible for withdrawing security personnel before the attack, but the military has yet to respond.

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This Senate under your leadership, we passed a resolution that the military high command should disclose the name of that officer, the action that had been taken against him to satisfy us that that action was not willful, or that people who are entrusted to protect us, that some of them have not become part of our problem.

Oshiomhole lamented the lack of response and follow-up from lawmakers on this critical inquiry. He stressed that the legislature must conduct a detailed audit of security allocations and enhance oversight of defense expenditures. "If the armed forces are not accountable, if we do not carry out due audit and oversight of resources that we have all been given, then we are part of the problem," he stated.

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As I speak, I am not aware that we have gotten a response to that simple inquiry.