According to a Punch report on Tuesday, the House of Representatives Committee on Defence has called for increased funding for the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to enhance its capacity to fulfill its mandate effectively. Established in 1986, the DIA provides military intelligence for the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence. The agency also supports Nigeria's defence policy, fosters military cooperation with other nations, safeguards Nigerian citizens, and upholds the country's territorial integrity.
During the committee's maiden oversight visit to the DIA headquarters in Abuja, Chairman Babajimi Benson, who represents the Ikorodu Federal Constituency in Lagos State, emphasized the agency's critical role in Nigeria's security framework. He noted that adequate funding would significantly improve the agency's ability to address the nation's security challenges.
Benson explained, "There are three intelligence agencies in Nigeria — the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the Defence Intelligence Agency. The DIA is unique because it operates both internally and externally, unlike the DSS, which focuses on internal matters, and the NIA, which handles foreign intelligence."
He expressed concern over the disparity in budget allocations among the three agencies, highlighting that the DIA receives the least funding. "It's shocking that the DIA, which wears both internal and external intelligence hats, is underfunded compared to the DSS and the NIA. We are here to assess how they have managed with their limited resources, but there's an urgent need to significantly increase their budget to bring them on par with the other agencies. This is a recommendation we will push to ensure that Mr. President prioritizes the DIA."
Benson commended the DIA's efforts in reducing insecurity in the country, describing its role as pivotal. "As you can see, insecurity has drastically reduced in Nigeria, and the DIA has been instrumental in achieving this. The agency has immense potential, and it is crucial for the President to support it fully."
The committee's visit underscores the importance of the DIA in Nigeria's security architecture and the need for greater investment in its operations.
