Insecurity: Reps move to review defence laws

The House of Representatives on Monday began a two-day public hearing on a package of defence reform bills aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s military institutions, improving the welfare of service personnel and veterans, and equipping the Armed Forces to respond more effectively to evolving security threats.

The hearing, organised by the House Committee on Defence at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, brought together lawmakers, senior military officers, security experts, academics, civil society groups, veterans and other stakeholders to review proposed legislation that could significantly reshape the country’s defence architecture.

The bills come at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with a complex and expanding security environment marked by insurgency in the North-East, banditry and mass abductions in the North-West, communal conflicts in the North-Central region, separatist violence in the South-East, and growing concerns over maritime security and cyber threats.

Declaring the hearing open, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, said the proposed legislation forms part of the 10th Assembly’s efforts to strengthen national security through institutional and legal reforms.

“The bills listed for consideration over the next two days are not mere legislative exercises. They are, in my considered view, a direct response to the evolving security threats facing our beloved nation and the imperative to build a more resilient, inclusive and effective military institution. This is a core component of our Legislative Agenda in the 10th Assembly,” Abbas said.

The Speaker noted that the Armed Forces remain under intense operational pressure as they confront multiple security challenges across the country.

“From the relentless insurgency in the North-East, to the scourge of banditry and kidnapping in the North-West, the farmer-herder crises in the North-Central and the separatist agitations in the South-East, our Armed Forces are stretched, yet they remain our first and last line of defence,” he stated.

He warned that emerging threats such as piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, cyber warfare and the growing links between organised criminal networks and terrorist groups require a more robust legal and institutional framework.

Among the key proposals before the committee is a bill seeking to repeal the Armed Forces Act and replace it with a new Nigerian Military Force Bill. The proposed legislation is expected to modernise military administration, command structures and operational frameworks in line with contemporary security realities.

Other bills under consideration include legislation proposing the establishment of an Armed Forces Farms and Ranches Scheme to support food production and logistics within the military, among others.

Additional proposals focus on military education, doctrine development, research, healthcare services and professional training within the Armed Forces.

Abbas described the public hearing as an opportunity for broad stakeholder engagement and urged participants to contribute openly to the legislative process.

“I call on all stakeholders, serving and retired military personnel, civil society, gender experts, veterans, lawyers and ordinary citizens – to participate actively. Share your memoranda, speak your truth, critique where necessary and propose solutions,” he said.

The Speaker assured participants that their views would play a meaningful role in shaping the final legislation.

“Do not hold back because you think your voice does not matter. It does. Do not stay away because you fear your submission will be ignored. I give you my word, every memorandum will be read, every oral presentation will be noted, and all relevant contributions will be considered and, where applicable, incorporated into the final reports and bills.”

He further argued that the country’s security challenges require new approaches beyond traditional responses.

“The security challenges we face today demand bold, fresh thinking. The old ways have not fully worked. We must be open to legislative innovations,” he added.

In his welcome address, Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Mr Babajimi Benson, said the hearing represents a critical stage in the lawmaking process and provides citizens and stakeholders an opportunity to influence policies affecting national defence and security.

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to this Two-Day Public Hearing organised by the House Committee on Defence on a number of important legislative proposals aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s defence architecture, enhancing military professionalism, improving the welfare of service personnel and veterans and positioning our Armed Forces to effectively address the evolving security challenges of our time,” Benson said.

He stressed that public participation is essential to producing effective and responsive legislation.

“Public hearings are among the most important stages of the lawmaking process because they provide an opportunity for citizens, experts, institutions and stakeholders to participate directly in shaping legislation. Through this process, proposed laws benefit from broader scrutiny, practical insights and diverse perspectives, ensuring that the final outcomes are more effective, inclusive and responsive to national realities.”

According to him, the bills cover critical areas of military operations and administration, including professional military education, joint operational effectiveness, healthcare support, strategic research, governance reforms, veterans’ welfare, food security initiatives and inclusiveness within the Armed Forces.

“The importance of public participation becomes even more significant when dealing with matters of defence and national security. Defence legislation affects national sovereignty, military effectiveness, operational readiness and ultimately the safety and well-being of every Nigerian,” he said.

Benson assured stakeholders that all memoranda and oral submissions would be thoroughly reviewed before the committee submits its recommendations to the House.

He also paid tribute to members of the Armed Forces for their sacrifices in defending the nation’s territorial integrity and combating security threats across various theatres of operation.

The public hearing is expected to produce recommendations that will shape some of the most far-reaching defence reforms currently before the National Assembly. If passed, the proposed laws could redefine military governance, strengthen support systems for veterans, promote greater inclusiveness within the Armed Forces and enhance the country’s capacity to respond to both traditional and emerging security threats.