By Ezinwanne Onwuka
Defense and Security Top Nigeria’s 2025 Budget with $2.95 Billion Allocation
President Bola Tinubu has proposed a record ₦4.91 trillion ($2.95 billion) allocation for defense and security in Nigeria’s 2025 budget, prioritizing efforts to address the country’s pressing security challenges. Presenting the ₦47.9 trillion ($ $28.76 billion) budget to the National Assembly on Wednesday, Tinubu emphasized the importance of securing the nation as a foundation for progress.
“Security is the foundation of all progress. We have significantly increased funding for the military, paramilitary, and police forces to secure the nation, protect our borders, and consolidate government control over every inch of our national territory,” Tinubu stated in his speech to the National Assembly according to This Day.
Nigeria faces numerous security issues, including insurgency in the northeast, banditry in the northwest, and kidnapping across various regions. Tinubu pledged to equip security forces with modern tools and boost their morale to tackle these threats effectively.
Other major allocations include ₦4.06 trillion ($2.44 billion) for infrastructure, ₦3.52 trillion ($2.11 billion) for education, and ₦2.48 trillion ($1.49 billion) for health. Tinubu described the 2025 budget as the “Budget of Restoration,” aimed at stabilizing the economy and improving lives.
“Boosting the morale of our men and women in the armed forces will remain our government’s top priority,” the President added.
● Security Agencies Responsible for Most Attacks on Journalists in Nigeria, Report Says
Security forces in Nigeria, including the police, military, and intelligence agencies, were responsible for most attacks on journalists in 2024, according to the Media Rights Agenda (MRA).
In a press statement posted on X, MRA revealed that law enforcement agencies were responsible for 45 of the 69 documented attacks on journalists between January and October 2024, accounting for about 65 percent.
“It is ironic that the institutions tasked with upholding the rule of law as well as ensuring the safety and security of citizens, including journalists, have instead become the instruments of oppression against the media,” the statement said.
MRA recorded 21 cases of assault, 17 arbitrary arrests, eight threats to life, six kidnappings, five obstructions of journalists’ duties, and one death in 2024. Other perpetrators included thugs, unknown gunmen, and government officials.
● Nigerian Army Eyes Tech, Training to Combat Threats
The Nigerian Army is stepping up its game with plans to invest in modern technology and specialised training to tackle terrorism and other security threats, Nigerian Tribune reports.
The local newspaper said Army Chief Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede revealed the plans on Wednesday at the close of the 2024 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference in Abuja.
Oluyede reportedly highlighted the Army’s focus on innovation to address challenges like terrorism, banditry, and violent extremism. “In the coming months, the Nigerian Army will invest more in modern technology to aid its training and ultimately fight its wars,” Nigerian Tribune quoted the Army Chief as saying.
Oluyede assured that the Army is committed to enhancing professionalism and combat readiness while addressing Nigeria’s security challenges with innovative approaches.
“The Nigerian Army looks forward to doing things differently in our kinetic and non-kinetic operations in the coming year,” he added.
● Deadly Stampede at Nigerian Funfair Leaves Children Dead, Many Injured
A children’s holiday funfair in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State in Southwest Nigeria, turned tragic Wednesday when a stampede at Islamic High School, Basorun, left multiple children dead and many injured.
The event, organized by Queen Naomi Silekunola, a former queen of the Ooni of Ife, was meant for 5,000 attendees but drew over 15,000, overwhelming the venue.
Witnesses who spoke to The Nation said chaos erupted when the gates remained closed despite the swelling crowd. “We were choking, and the crowd was too much. When they tried to close the gate, people started falling on each other,” said a distraught mother, Mrs. Azeez Omolewa, whose son was injured.
The Nation reported that four children were confirmed dead on arrival at Patnas Specialist Hospital, with others treated at nearby facilities. “When they arrived, we were told the kids fainted but, after testing them, we discovered they were brought in dead,” Mrs. Oluwafemi Akinyele, the hospital’s admin officer, told the media outlet.
Governor Seyi Makinde called it “a very sad day” and pledged accountability. “Anyone directly or remotely involved in this disaster will be held accountable,” he said in a social media post. The event’s organizers have been taken into custody.
Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
