A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Darlington Nwauju, has called on the National Assembly to urgently review the 2025 Appropriation Bill for the Ministry of Interior, citing the worsening state of insecurity across the country.
Nwauju also advocated for constitutional amendments that would allow security agencies like the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) to receive direct allocations from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF). He further recommended that the NCoS be included in the national security budget to enhance its operational capacity.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Nwauju emphasized the need for increased budgetary support for critical agencies under the Interior Ministry, including the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Federal Fire Service. According to him, these agencies play vital roles in safeguarding national security and require adequate resources to function effectively.
The APC chieftain’s call follows a recent surge in violent attacks in parts of Benue, Enugu, and Ebonyi States. He stressed the urgency of adopting new strategies to combat cross-border crimes, which he described as “terroristic in nature.”
“The 10th National Assembly must go beyond oversight on roads and bridges and focus on legislative interventions that address pressing security challenges,” Nwauju stated. “Communities in Benue, Enugu, and Ebonyi are under siege, and it is the duty of lawmakers to make laws that prioritize the protection of lives and property.”
He also reiterated his earlier call, made in September/October 2024, for the integration of the Ministry of Police Affairs into the Ministry of Interior. Nwauju argued that consolidating these institutions would foster better coordination among security agencies and improve border surveillance.
Citing the ongoing digitization of Nigeria’s land borders—currently at 40%—Nwauju urged the government to push for full digital coverage. He argued that achieving this goal would significantly enhance border security but warned it cannot be realized without proper funding.
“There is no way we can end the violence in Benue and other border regions without securing our borders. Adequate funding and strategic alignment of the Police, Immigration, and Customs services into a single border security architecture are crucial,” he said.
Nwauju also referenced the Steven Oronsaye Report, supporting its implementation as a pathway to a more streamlined and effective internal security framework.
He added, “Security must be our top priority. On Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, safety comes immediately after physiological needs. Without it, the very foundation of our nation is at risk. The National Assembly must act now to review and reinforce the Interior Ministry’s budget.”
His statement comes in the wake of a deadly attack in Yelewata, Benue State, where suspected herdsmen reportedly killed over 200 people and injured many others. The violence has displaced thousands in the state, widely known as the “Food Basket of the Nation.”
In response, President Bola Tinubu visited Benue on Wednesday to condole with the victims. During a stakeholders’ meeting, the President directed the service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to apprehend those responsible for the killings.
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