By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has inaugurated an Ad-Hoc Committee to investigate the expenditure of all intervention funds on security, with a strong pledge to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective use of public funds meant to safeguard Nigerians.
Speaking at the inauguration held at the National Assembly, on Thursday, Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Zakaria Nyampa, said the move marks “an important milestone in the ongoing commitment of the House of Representatives to ensure accountability, transparency, and fiscal discipline in the management of public funds—especially those appropriated to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians.” 
Rep. Nyampa noted that despite huge allocations over the years to address security challenges such as insurgency, banditry, and militancy, the country still faces persistent insecurity.
He explained that the Committee was empowered under Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution to investigate all disbursements and utilisation of security intervention funds released to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from 2020 to date.
He said: “While these funds were designed to strengthen operational readiness, improve intelligence capacity, and equip our security agencies, persistent insecurity across the country raises fundamental questions about the efficiency, transparency, and impact of such expenditures.
“The Committee’s objectives, it to dentify total funds disbursed, examine utilisation, review procurement processes, and assess the actual impact of such interventions on the nation’s security.
“This assignment must be pursued with objectivity, diligence, patriotism, and integrity. It is not a witch-hunt, but an effort to ensure that every naira allocated for national security achieves its intended purpose — the protection of the Nigerian people.”
The Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee said that the Committee will work closely with key agencies including the Ministry of Finance, Budget Office, Accountant-General’s Office, National Security Adviser, and security formations. It will also engage anti-graft and civil society organisations such as EFCC, ICPC, BudgIT, CISLAC, and SERAP to promote transparency.
“Transparency is the backbone of good governance, and we intend to uphold it throughout this investigation,” he affirmed.
Highlighting the guiding principles of the probe, Nyampa listed accountability, efficiency, and equity as the Committee’s core values, vowing not to compromise the integrity of its findings.
“We owe it to the Nigerian people and to posterity to speak truth to power guided always by facts, evidence, and the national interest.
“When public funds meant to secure our nation are mismanaged or diverted, the consequences are measured not just in naira and kobo, but in human lives and national stability”, he added.
Nyampa expressed gratitude to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, the House Leadership, and his colleagues for entrusting him with the task, assuring that the Committee’s work will “strengthen institutional frameworks for security sector governance and inspire confidence in Nigeria’s governance architecture.”
“Security is the foundation of development. Our collective duty is to ensure that resources devoted to national security are properly utilised for the peace, unity, and progress of our dear country”, he stated.
Inaugurating the committee, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, restated the commitment of the House to accountability, transparency, and proper utilisation of security intervention funds across the country.
Represented by the Deputy Chief Whip, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka, the Speaker said the establishment of the Ad Hoc Committee reflects the House’s “unwavering resolve to promote probity and responsible stewardship in all matters relating to national security.”
He urged members of the Committee to uphold the principles of accountability, efficiency, and fairness — values he described as the hallmark of the House of Representatives.
He commended the Committee Chairman, for his willingness to lead with dedication and integrity, Abbas encouraged the team to “carry out this crucial national assignment with diligence, professionalism, and an abiding sense of duty to the Nigerian people.”
