The House of Representatives, has began move against the indiscriminate leak of classified information in public offices.
The House on Thursday resolved to create a Joint Committee on National Security Intelligence, Information Technology and Defence to with a mandate to carry out a forensic Data Storage, Data Protection and Flow of Information of all Security Agencies, as well as to inspect the level of Data Security operated by some of the agencies.
In focus are the Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Identity Management Commission and other data collection agencies.
The House resolution was sequel to a motion brought by Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide, ( PDP, Ibadan) who noted that the rate at which classified and confidential documents find their ways to the public domain and the social media was worrisome, and prevent the curbing of insecurity across the nation
He said “our security agents are being attacked by bandits while going for rapid response due to leak of information and national security is also compromised”, adding that the flow of unauthorized classified information and documents to the public domain is now almost at the discretions of government official, the rate at which classified information’s spread on the social media is disturbing.
While pointing out that this is a National Security issue that needs an urgent intervention, he said it is deeply worrisome, “if Chief of the Army Staff decries the leakage of classified documents appearing on social media, then there is a serious issue at our hand as a Nation and its our duty as Legislators to call for forensic investigation of all our Security Agencies”.
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According to him, Data leakages in the Public Sectors discredits the government, weakens the action plan and undermines the national security of the country.
