INTERIOR MINISTER DEFENDS BUDGET AT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY .... Says "No Country Wins A War Defective Intelligence."

Interior Affairs Minister, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo at the 2024 Budget Defense today at the National Assembly

"Some of these communities at the Nation's borders are contiguous, adding that the children of that community attended schools in the neighboring countries and also sought for services from the foreign neighbours, to the extent the children only recite National anthem and pledge of those countries." Tunji-Ojo

Amidst concerns and strong calls for an improved and secured country, Nigeria's Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Wednesday stated that "no country wins a war with defective local intelligence.

Tunji-Ojo made the declaration during the 2024 budget defence session, before the Joint Committee on Interior of the National Assembly, in Abuja.

Speaking to the Joint Committee for the outgoing 2023 fiscal year, the Minister said any country that is secured depends on the veracity and integrity of intelligence available from its locals.

"You can have the most equipped arm forces in the world, if its intelligence is defective, definitely you cannot win the war." He stated in a statement issued and signed by Afonja Fatai Ajibola, Deputy Director Press and Public Relations Department.

The Honourable Minister, during the defense of the Ministry's budget before the Committee, cited instances in the America-Afghanistan war. "The United States has the best of Military equipment, but when the locals refused to give you the support there is very little you can do." He said.

Dr.Tunji-Ojo, disclosed that when he became Minister of Interior, for the fact that he needed to have absolute control of the country's border, he inaugurated an Inter- ministerial Committee on border management, comprising Federal Agencies and the border Communities to sep up infrastructures for their wellbeing, assured that the committee reports is almost ready.

He said that some of these communities at the Nation's borders are contiguous, adding that the children of that community attended schools in the neighboring countries and also sought for services from the foreign neighbours, to the extent the children only recite National anthem and pledge of those countries.

Warning that the patriotism and loyalty, naturally, of those communities would go to the foreign nations, at the detriment of Nigeria, he said the socio-economic and political lives of these people would adversely be influenced by the foreigners.

Present at the Budget defence were the Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr. Peter Egbodo, directors of various departments in the ministry, the Secretary of the Board Alhaji Jafar Ahmad, the CG-  Nigeria Security and Civil Defence, Dr Abubakar Audi, CG Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, CG-NIS, Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju and CG-Federsl Fire Service, Engr Jaji O Abdulganiyu as well as the Management Staff of the ministry.