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By Lizzy Chirkpi
Security expert and consultant, Kabir Adam, has raised fresh concerns over systemic lapses in Nigeria’s security architecture, warning that poor funding implementation, weak oversight, and operational inefficiencies are undermining the country’s counterterrorism efforts.
His intervention follows the confirmation by Defence Headquarters spokesperson, Michael Onoja, of the death of Brigadier-General Oseni Braimah, who has since been buried after insurgent attacks on military formations in Borno State.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Pointblanknews.com, Adam said the development points to deeper structural failures within the security sector, particularly in funding, preparedness, and accountability.
“Exactly. Because that’s exactly where I was going to go into that do we as a country have the right equipment to face these terrorists? Because I think we do. The challenge is whether it’s where it is?” he said.
He stressed that while Nigeria possesses the capacity and equipment to combat insurgency, the real issue lies in deployment, maintenance, and effective utilization of those resources.
Adam pointed to recurring incidents of military formations being overrun by insurgents, noting that the situation mirrors setbacks recorded between 2016 and 2017, despite previous reforms such as the introduction of “Super Camps.”
According to him, the successful targeting of a brigade-level formation raises serious concerns about military protection and operational readiness.
Beyond battlefield vulnerabilities, the security expert questioned whether budgetary allocations to the defence sector are translating into actual support on the ground.
“Are we getting it right? No, we’re not. As you well know, having the budget and then receiving what is in the budget are two different things in Nigeria,” he said.
He alleged that releases for the 2025 budget were reportedly below 15 per cent, warning that such gaps could be responsible for poor equipment maintenance and stalled operations.
Adam also called on the National Assembly to step up its constitutional oversight responsibilities, demanding transparency in the release and utilisation of defence funds.
“The National Assembly must step in. They are the ones who pass this budget. They are the ones who conduct oversight. So they need to look critically at what are the reasons preventing the release,” he stated.
He further cited reports of unserviced military vehicles and aircraft, as well as delayed or abandoned operations, as signs of a system under strain.
Despite the challenges, Adam maintained that Nigeria has the capability to defeat insurgent groups, but questioned the political will to decisively confront them.
“If we want to and there is the political will, we will do it,” he added.
The attacks, reportedly carried out by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, targeted multiple locations including Pulka, Bakin Ruwa, and Benisheikh in Borno State, with the 29 Task Force Brigade among the formations hit.
While the military confirmed that troops fought back, the incident and the death of the brigade commander has intensified scrutiny of Nigeria’s security framework and the effectiveness of defence spending.