Seyi Law visits troops in Maiduguri, decries ‘meagre’ military budget
Popular comedian, Seyi Law, has said that the Nigerian military’s budget is “actually meagre compared to what is truly needed” to combat insurgency.
The comedian revealed that he is celebrating his Christmas with the soldiers in Maiduguri, in a post on X on Sunday.
He stated that his visit to the Borno capital has given him a lot of insight into the disaster of the long-lasting insurgency war in northern Nigeria.
The entertainer also asked for God’s blessing for “our men and women of the Nigeria Armed Forces as they fight to keep us safe”.
He wrote: “I am spending my Christmas with our troops in Maiduguri, and my conversation with some top officials is enlightening me a lot.”
“A group of 28,000 men and with a budget of N1,000 each for food daily, that is N28,000,000 and for a month (28 days) amounts to N784,000,000. Nigeria has over 223,000 active soldiers.
“We discussed MRAP vehicles, where 88 is required for each battalion. A unit costs about $300,000. You can do the calculations.
“While we assume the defence budget is huge, it is actually meagre compared to what is truly needed.
“One of the top officials said, “The cost of chaos is cheap, but the battle to restore peace is too expensive.” The technology of military equipment keeps changing, and we are finding it hard to catch up.
“I have learned a lot of things. The tragedy of the prolonged battle of insurgency is immense. Some of the rescued women and children born in the camps have no other life besides the trouble.
“May God continue to protect our men and women of the Nigeria Armed Forces as they fight to keep us safe.”
He added in another post: “It has been such an eventful. I ended up in Bunigeri, Yobe State at the COAS’ Luncheon with the men in the frontline.
“This is one of my Christmas celebrations so far. I am glad to spend the day with these men who have sacrificed a lot for this nation.
“On behalf of Nigerians, I say THANK YOU TO OUR GALLANT MEN.”
