Insecurity: N’Assembly Throws Out Air Force’s Budget, Demands Realistic Funding

• CAS says counter-insurgency operations must be driven by speed, precision, others

• Kwara gov holds emergency security meeting 

•Armed herdsmen besiege Ikobi, kill 4 youths

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin, Sunday Aborisade, Linus Aleke in Abuja and Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

The National Assembly has rejected the 2026 budget proposal of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), citing inadequate funding that could weaken the military’s capacity to confront insurgency and other security threats across the country.

The decision was taken yesterday by the Joint Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives on the Nigerian Air Force during a budget defence session in Abuja, where the service presented its 2025 budget performance and proposals for the 2026 fiscal year.

Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Osita Mbu, said lawmakers unanimously agreed that the proposal, as submitted, fell short of the operational realities facing the air force at a time of heightened security challenges nationwide.

Mbu said, “The committee carefully reviewed the presentation by the Nigerian Air Force and unanimously rejected the budget as proposed.

“The allocation is inadequate and insufficient to enable the Air Force to maintain the level of firepower and air capability required to curb insurgency at this critical period in the life of the nation.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s worsening security situation demanded a more robust and realistic funding framework for the air force, warning that underfunding could undermine ongoing operations against insurgents, bandits and other criminal elements.

Following the rejection, the joint committee constituted a six-member technical team to engage with the federal government, the budget office, and the leadership of the National Assembly with a view to working out a revised and more realistic budget for the air force.

The outcome of the engagements, Mbu said, would be resubmitted to the joint committee for consideration and approval.

The lawmakers also urged the executive arm of government to extend maximum cooperation to the committee, stating that Nigerians are increasingly anxious for decisive and effective action against insecurity.

“Nigerians urgently need results in the fight against insurgency and other forms of criminality, and this cannot be achieved without adequately funding the institutions at the forefront of this battle,” the chairman added.

While acknowledging the fiscal constraints facing the federal government, Mbu stated that the decision to reject the air force budget was taken against the backdrop of the 2025 capital budget rollovers into 2026, which affected many ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

He disclosed that although about 70 per cent of the 2025 capital budget was rolled over into the 2026 fiscal year as a matter of government policy, a significant portion of those allocations had still not been funded.

Mbu said, “Our position is clear. Whatever funding is eventually provided for the Nigerian Air Force in the 2026 budget must be sufficient to meet its operational requirements. Anything short of that will not serve the national interest.”

Co-chairman of the joint committee, Hon. Kabiru Alhassan, echoed the same concerns, stressing that the air force requires substantial and sustained funding to effectively combat insurgency, banditry and other security threats across the country.

According to him, the evolving nature of security challenges demands continuous investment in air assets, logistics, personnel training, and maintenance, warning that inadequate budgetary support can compromise national security.

CAS: Counter-insurgency Operations Must Be Driven by Speed, Precision, Others

Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, stressed that successful counter-insurgency operations must be driven by speed, precision and sustained pressure on hostile terrorist elements, as the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) intensified efforts to restore peace across the country.

Aneke reaffirmed NAF’s unwavering resolve to escalate air operations against insurgents and terrorists, declaring that the service remained fully committed to decisive, intelligence-driven actions in all operational theatres.

He spoke yesterday during a high-level strategic meeting with Air Component Commanders (ACCs), which he described as a critical war-fighting forum designed to sharpen operational effectiveness, assess ongoing missions, and fast-track the restoration of national security.

According to the CAS, the engagement provide an opportunity for a thorough review of current operations, identification of operational gaps, and realignment of strategies in response to evolving threats.

He emphasised that air power must be applied with clarity of purpose and flawless coordination to achieve lasting results.

Aneke stated, “We must dominate the operational space through superior coordination, innovation and unwavering professionalism. Every sortie, every mission and every decision must move us closer to the full restoration of security.”

In a statement by Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Aneke reiterated that NAF would continue to project overwhelming air power in close support of ground forces and joint operations nationwide.

Commending the ACCs and their personnel, Aneke praised their courage, resilience, and discipline under demanding combat conditions.

He stated that their sacrifices had translated into tangible gains, including the degradation of insurgent capabilities and the disruption of hostile networks.

AbdulRazaq Convenes Emergency Security Meeting

Worried by incessant terrorist attacks in Kwara State, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq convened an emergency security meeting with heads of security agencies in the state.

The meeting, according to an insider source, held Monday night at Ahmadu Bello Government House, Ilorin, focused on the need to strengthen security networks in view of the recent attacks by suspected terrorists that had increased the security threats in the state.

There were terrorist attacks at Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state last week, which left over 100 people dead. Also, last Sunday, suspected terrorists invaded Koro town in Ekiti Local Government Area, killing one Forest Guards.

At least over 1,000 residents of Koro town fled to Ilorin, the state capital, to seek refuge with friends and relatives.

The federal government had since deployed army troops in an operation it code-named Operation Shield Savannah. There were also joint coordinated patrols among other security agencies in the state so as to curtail the activities of terrorists in the state.

Speaking after the meeting, AbdulRazaq said the emergency session was aimed at reviewing the security situation and strengthening coordinated efforts to neutralise emerging threats.

He stated, “As part of our multi-layered response to the recent terrorist attack in Kaiama LGA, I summoned an emergency security council meeting at the Ahmadu Bello House in Ilorin today.

“I received briefings from all the security commanders in the state, and we discussed strategies to neutralise all threats to our citizens and secure lives and proper-ty.”

The governor expressed optimism that the resolutions reached at the meeting would improve the security situation and restore calm in affected communities.

“I am upbeat that our deliberations today will boost the security situation in the state and restore calm and peace across our communities,” he added.

Armed Herdsmen Besiege Ikobi, Kill Four

A wave of brutal attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen killed four youths in Ikobi community, Apa Local Government Area of Benue State, in separate incidents within a week.

The community leader, Dr. Ofugocho Edoh, said in a press statement that the latest victim, Ochoyo Gowon Omale, was ambushed and brutally butchered near the community river Ochekwu in his father’s orchard, where he was harvesting cashew nuts.

Edoh stated that the latest killing caused outrage among residents.

He said the community was crying out for help, alleging that the authorities have ignored their pleas for security intervention.

“These repeated attacks reflect a disturbing pattern of targeted violence and a complete breakdown of security within and around IKOBI,” he stated.

According to him, “The attacks began two weeks ago when an Ikobi youth was shot dead while riding his motorcycle from Oloke Ikobi to Ijaha Ikobi. Three days later, Mr. Okpen Igojuju was killed, followed by Akpala Sule Ochume’s son. The community is shocked and traumatized by the violence.

“The Ikobi community is demanding action from security agencies and government officials, including President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia. We cannot leave our ancestral home for strangers.”

He appealed for protection and support from the authorities.