On Wednesday, the Senate rejected a proposal that aimed to prevent Service Chiefs from diverting funds meant for purchasing security equipment to building universities and buying yachts. This issue emerged during a discussion on the motion titled “Suicide Attacks in Gwoza, Borno State: The Urgency to Stem the Tide of This Ugly Menace,” introduced by Senator Ali Ndume, as reported by PUNCH.

Ndume highlighted the recent attack on his community, urging security agencies to use modern technology in the fight against insurgency. 

Senator Adams Oshiomhole contributed by stressing the importance of ensuring that funds allocated to the armed forces are used appropriately. He criticized the diversion of funds by previous Service Chiefs for non-essential projects, such as building universities in their communities, which do not contribute to security. Oshiomhole argued that the Senate should focus on appropriating funds strictly for necessary security technology and procurement.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio cautioned against making allegations without evidence, questioning whether the universities built were personal or public.

Akpabio said, “The only problem with the additional prayer is the allegation that previous service chiefs diverted money to build universities. Did they build personal universities or public universities?”

Oshiomhole responded clarifying that last year, the Navy had planned to buy a yacht, emphasizing the need for rigorous oversight to prevent misallocation of funds.

Oshiomhole said, “Mr President, they built public universities. And I believe that if half of the money was used to threaten NDA, in terms of competence of the men and the rest used to procure modern technology for the emphasis.

“…Just last year when we were doing the supplementary budget, we saw that the Navy was prepared to buy a yacht, that is why the oversight responsibility of this Senate is extremely important to prevent the armed forces and other security agencies from prioritizing in a manner that coincides with what we think the Nigerian Army should be doing.”