“Prepare against potential threats from cyberspace also” – Reps tasks Service Chiefs

During the Service Chiefs screening, Rep. Benson noted the need for a full-fledged Defence Space Force to adequately tackle potential threats from cyberspace and provide intelligence support to other services.

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The House of Representatives, on Monday, tasked Security Chiefs to go a step further and hunt criminals in cyberspace who pose a threat to national security.

It also urged the Security Chiefs to effectively collaborate with sister security agencies in ensuring that all security threats are completely neutralized to enable Nigerians live peacefully.

The lawmakers further promised to embark on rigorous oversight exercises, beginning from this screening, to ensure that the Armed Forces of Nigeria adhere strictly to the provisions of all Appropriation Acts as will be eventually passed by the National Assembly and accented to by Mr President.

This was as the Ad-hoc Committee Screening of Service Chiefs met with the Service Chiefs on Monday, in the National Assembly, to rub minds on the way forward towards the unprecedented level of insecurity in which the Armed Forces of Nigeria have been fully involved.

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In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Babajimi Benson, noted that it is a constitutional process.

“On behalf of the entire members of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on the Screening of Service Chief nominees, it is my honour to welcome you. As you are aware, this important exercise is a necessary constitutional provision in the process of institutionalizing and legitimizing the appointment of persons for the positions of service chiefs of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. We in the House of Representatives therefore take this seriously and always do it meticulously in accordance with our extant rules.

Ladies and gentlemen, for more than sixteen years, Nigeria has witnessed a diverse and unprecedented level of insecurity in which the Armed Forces of Nigeria have been fully involved prompting the launch of several theatres of operations and exercises as well as providing support for tackling several domestic security challenges. The House of Representatives is delighted with the successes recorded so far, especially in the last one year.

We acknowledge these robust achievements which is a proof of the level of professionalism often displayed by our military in the discharge of their duties. We urge you to effectively collaborate with sister security agencies to ensure that all security threats are completely neutralised, and Nigerians can live peacefully.

“The world of security is dynamic and ever-changing. New security threats are emerging across the globe. Today, wars are not only fought on land, sea and air, but also in the cyberspace. Consequently, the art of warfare must therefore be a step ahead. This is why Nigeria must tap into and harness the potential of having a Defence Space Force, like in the United States of America. While acknowledging the immense contributions of the Defence Space Administration (DSA), there is a need for a full-fledged Defence Space Force to adequately handle potential threats from cyberspace and provide intelligence support to other services.

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“As a parliament, we are required to legislate for the good and peaceful governance of the country. This is a responsibility that the 10th House of Representatives is keenly committed to as we continue to provide the necessary legislative framework to the current government in its quest to ensure that Nigerians live in peace. We must therefore work collectively to deliver more on the goals of this administration to drastically reduce cases of insecurity across the country.

While the House will continue to support this vision through our legislative activities, we shall also embark on rigorous oversight exercises, beginning from this screening, to ensure that the Armed Forces of Nigeria adhere strictly to the provisions of all Appropriation Acts as will be eventually passed by the National Assembly and accented to by Mr. President”, he stated.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, in his submission, promised to safeguard the territorial integrity of the country as well as prioritise the welfare of troops and sound administration as a constitutional responsibility.

“I recognise the significance of leading the thousands of devoted and distinguished service men and women to provide a secure and peaceful environment for the Nigerian people to freely engage in their legitimate enterprise in line with the constitutional mandate of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).

Troops welfare and sound administration will provide the required atmosphere for the AFN to deliver on its constitutional responsibilities. Thus, the AFN will continue to seek ways and means to improve the welfare of its personnel under my watch,” he affirmed.

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On his part, the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, promised not to betray the confidence and trust reposed in him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing him.

“I consider my nomination as a call to higher responsibilities and I am determined not to betray the trust and confidence reposed in me. It is an open secret that our country has faced a challenging security environment in the past two decades. It has impacted adversely on our socio-economic and political lives. The episodic crises of the past have now become enduring thereby making governance and the rule of law more challenging for successive administrations.

Today’s painful reality is that insecurity has distorted our developmental plans and aspirations of a strong, prosperous, globally competitive and influential nation. Never in the recent times is the requirement for proactive, adaptive and inclusive leadership more needed than Nigeria’s security environment of today. These requirements are what I intend to do as COAS if confirmed.

I am mindful that the Nigerian Army, which I am being screened to lead, is a crucial component of our military instrument of national power. It is not only the largest, but the most complex, most geographically spread, most sought after during crisis and often most misunderstood. I believe that for the Nigerian Army to grapple with the demands of the contemporary security environment, it would consistently transform to be a step ahead of its time. For this reason I conscentualise my philosophy of command as to transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment. I intend to partner with the National Assembly and other stakeholders in achieving this command philosophy,” he submitted.