By Harriet Tornguvan
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwah, has called for the adoption of cutting edge technologies and strengthened capacity within the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to bolster Nigeria’s response to evolving security threats.
Pheelangwah made the call during a familiarisation visit to the DIA headquarters in Abuja as part of his tour of agencies under the Ministry.
He commended the professionalism and dedication of personnel of the Agency, noting that their efforts in intelligence gathering, sharing, and inter agency collaboration have played a vital role in addressing terrorism, banditry, and other security challenges confronting the country.
The Permanent Secretary attributed these gains to the leadership and strategic direction of President Bola Tinubu, while emphasizing the critical role of intelligence in national security planning and operations.
He urged the Agency to remain proactive by embracing modern technologies to stay ahead of emerging threats, stressing that continuous innovation is key to maintaining operational effectiveness.
Pheelangwah also highlighted the importance of investing in human capital, calling for improved training, welfare, and motivation of personnel to sustain high morale and efficiency.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening the operational capabilities of the DIA to enable it to effectively carry out its mandate.
In his response, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye, described the visit as timely, noting that it provided an opportunity to deepen understanding of the interconnected roles within the intelligence community.
He stressed that collaboration among security agencies remains essential in tackling threats such as terrorism, extremism, kidnapping, and cybercrime.
Undiandeye explained that the DIA operates a proactive intelligence framework aimed at preventing and neutralising threats through early warning systems for the Armed Forces and other security agencies.
He added that the Agency leverages a combination of human intelligence, technical resources, and strategic partnerships to stay ahead of adversaries.
Despite challenges such as limited capacity, equipment shortages, and funding constraints, the CDI highlighted key achievements of the Agency, including reduced incidents of unintended targeting, fewer civilian casualties, and improved human rights compliance over the past two years.
He disclosed that more than 1,300 personnel have undergone training in intelligence and related fields, while advancements in technology have significantly enhanced the Agency’s preventive and proactive capabilities.
Undiandeye, however, appealed for increased funding to support personnel welfare at foreign missions, ensure timely release of operational funds, and facilitate the acquisition of modern operational platforms.
The event was attended by directors from the Ministry of Defence and the DIA, as well as principal staff officers of the Agency.
