The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described as disturbing and indefensible, the paltry sum of N16.71 billion released by the Federal Government for the Nigerian Army for security equipment in 2025.

This translates to only about seven per cent of the total approved budget of N336.76 billion for the force in the 2025 fiscal year.

ADC, in a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described this as disappointing, at a time when Nigeria is battling widespread insecurity.

“It is yet another example of a government that talks tough on security but fails to back it up with action,” the party stated.

ADC decried the reported demand of N5 million ransom by Boko Haram for the release of over 400 women and children abducted in Ngoshe, Borno State, with a 72-hour ultimatum or they would be killed.

The party condemned such a situation where terrorists were bold enough to issue deadlines to the state, and attributed this to the government’s underfunding of the military and its inability to provide logistics to aid its operational efficiency.

According to the ADC, “when the state looks weak, those who threaten it grow stronger, with devastating consequences for ordinary Nigerians.”

The party noted that while the military struggles with chronic underfunding, the Federal Government reportedly funds the lifestyle of people in government, pointing to the “luxurious presidential air fleet enjoyed by President Tinubu and his immediate family, even as military aircraft remain grounded due to a lack of resources.

“This paints a troubling picture of a government that is more concerned with comfort at the top than safety on the ground.”

ADC argued that a government that releases only seven per cent of security equipment funds, and nothing for critical logistics, cannot claim to be serious about winning the war against terror.

“You cannot starve our brave men and women in uniform of the tools they need and expect them to defeat a determined and well-armed enemy.

“This is not just a budgeting failure; it is a failure of leadership,” the party stated.

ADC expressed the belief that security funding should be treated as a first-line responsibility by the government, while budgetary allocations should translate into real, timely releases for equipment, logistics, training, and intelligence.

“Anything less weakens both the morale of our armed forces and the safety of our people, the party warned.

According to the party, Nigeria does not lack resources but the discipline to put those resources where they matter most.