This, it said the country needed rather than a security summit.
The Senate on Tuesday resolved to hold a two-day national security summit to brainstorm a solution to the rising wave of killings and other forms of insecurity in the country.
The decision followed a motion sponsored by Jimoh Ibrahim, senator representing Ondo south, at the resumption of plenary.
Speaking during the ministerial briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, questioned the relevance of the Senate’s proposed national security summit, arguing instead for renewed strategy.
He said, “On the summit, yes, strategy is far more important than summit. But summit will give you some inputs for the strategy. When you hold a summit, you have people, they talk. We take what they expect, and we go back to design or renew our strategy.
“And then the chief of Defence staff gives operational orders based on the strategy they developed. So what the National Assembly is trying to do may be to bring people together to discuss issues.
“I visited most of the past defense ministers. I visited most of the past service chiefs to discuss issues of security during their time and what we see today and how we do. And I’m sure the service chiefs also did the same.
So, the summit can help, but the strategy is much more important.”
Badaru also dismissed the idea that terrorists possess superior firepower compared to the Nigerian military, insisting that the nation’s armed forces are better equipped.
He said, “ Yesterday, the House of Assembly said that the terrorists have better weapons than us.
“That is absolutely not true. That is absolutely not true. We have much more sophisticated weapons and we have much more sophisticated drones.
“The issue is, this war is not a conventional war. It’s like a guerrilla war. They watch us, they have informant around us .
They help the people that we try to protect. And they give them information. And they jump at us the way we don’t expect.
On domestic efforts to enhance Nigeria’s military self-reliance, Badaru revealed that 10 of the 53 companies under the Defence Industrial Complex have commenced production of drones, aircraft components, helmets, and safety vests.
He said the government targets at least 20 firms to be fully operational by year’s end, with exports beginning in 2026.
“We’re also working on reviving sections of Ajaokuta Steel to support military hardware production,” he disclosed.
The minister’s comment came amid a fresh wave of deadly attacks that claimed the lives of an Army captain and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Borno and Benue.
In Benue, gunmen suspected to be armed herders attacked the Mbatsada communities in Mbalom and Mbasombo wards of Gwer East Local Government Area of the state, killing four, including APC chieftain Akaabo Johnson.
According to witnesses, the assailants stormed the area around 4:35 pm on Tuesday, firing indiscriminately.
The Chairman of Gwer-East LGA, Timothy Adi, who confirmed the incident in a telephone interview on Wednesday said the attack was unprovoked.
Lamenting the activities of armed herders in the council, Adi said that Tuesday’s attack was the second within the last two weeks.
He said that security men had been deployed to the area to secure the boundary lines of the local government area, in a bid to prevent further attacks.
Adi said, “Four dead bodies among them an APC elder in the ward were recovered and there bodies taken to St. Gregory Hospital morgue.
“I urge residents, particularly the youth, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to relevant security agencies.
“We must remain united and steadfast. This attack is a tragedy, but we will not allow fear to rule us. Governor Alia is not resting – plans are underway to put an end to these unprovoked attacks.”
Efforts to get the Benue Command spokesperson, Catherine Anene to confirm the development were not successful as her phone rang out and has not responded to text messages sent to her cellphone as of the time of filing this report.
Similarly, in Borno State, the military was thrown into mourning after an Army captain was killed during a confrontation with Boko Haram insurgents who launched an ambush on a military facility in Giwa.
Confirming the incident, the Emir of Gwoza, HRH Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta, said the assailants stormed the area around 1am and engaged the troops.
“It’s true that my people in Izge community came under Boko Haram attack around 1am. Unfortunately, a Captain and a Soldier paid the supreme price.
“But troops, the Civilian JTF, hunters, vigilantes and resilient community members also killed three terrorists.
“The terrorists abandoned their weapons, over 10 motorcycles and they are still on the run, while being trailed by our security men,” he said.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede visited the North-East to oversee ongoing military operations under Operation HADIN KAI.
The Nigerian Army announced in a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
According to the post, General Oluyede is currently on ground leading frontline efforts against insurgents in the region.
“Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General OO Oluyede currently in the North East overseeing Army operations in Operation HADIN KAI, “the post read.
