Nigeria’s security remains a priority – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s dedication to enhancing Nigeria’s security framework, emphasizing that national security is a key priority of his governance. Speaking at the Chief of Defence Staff Joint Task Force Commanders Conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Tinubu commended the military and security agencies for their unwavering efforts in tackling security challenges across the nation.
Represented by the Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, the President said, “ While I applaud the tremendous efforts of the Armed Forces, I wish to also commend the various joint task forces and security agencies operating across the country for demonstrating the tenacity to bring all armed criminals to book.
“This has been instrumental in ensuring peace and stability within our country. Let me assure you that I have prioritised Nigeria’s security and will remain committed to supporting our Armed Forces and other security and para-military agencies in discharging assigned tasks and responsibilities,”
Tinubu also stressed the importance of collaboration between all security branches to effectively address the changing security environment. He encouraged conference participants to explore innovative solutions, integrate emerging technologies, and promote multi-agency cooperation to better combat the country’s security challenges.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, addressed the rising security threats, particularly the spread of improvised explosive devices and the growing use of armed drones by terrorists. He emphasized the urgent need for the military to adopt innovative and adaptive strategies to effectively counter these evolving threats.
“While we celebrate our achievements, we must remain vigilant as the security landscape continues to evolve, presenting new and complex challenges.
“Evolving threats such as armed drones, transnational crimes, and the proliferation of IEDs demand innovative and adaptive responses. We must leverage technology, enhance intelligence-sharing, and strengthen interagency cooperation to counter these threats effectively.”
In his address, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ahmed Lawan, called for increased investment in the defence and intelligence sectors to more effectively tackle the country’s security challenges. He also advocated for a restructuring of military procurement processes to better align with the operational needs of various security services.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, represented by Permanent Secretary Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, stressed that promoting peace and security is a central pillar of Nigeria’s foreign policy. He highlighted that both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the military share the common goal of ensuring Nigeria remains a symbol of hope for Africa and the global community.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs takes seriously the crucial task of translating our government and people’s vision and aspirations into effective diplomatic action,” he noted.
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to collaborate with local vigilantes in conducting nationwide forest operations to prevent the hibernation and continued presence of bandits and herdsmen in their hideouts.
This resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance, sponsored by Edo lawmaker Billy Osawaru, during Wednesday’s plenary session.
In presenting the motion, Osawaru, a member of the All Progressives Congress, highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with insecurity, which includes terrorism, banditry, and militia activities, resulting in tragic killings, kidnappings, abductions, and armed robbery. He also outlined other security challenges, such as cattle rustling, the vandalism of critical national infrastructure, and the continued threat posed by unknown gunmen who wreak havoc across the country.
According to him, “The Amotekun Corps has mobilised over 2,000 personnel to flush out bandits and other criminals operating in forests in the South-West region, and there is a need for a holistic approach to extend this action to the neighbouring forests of the South-South region.
“The House is aware that this ugly trend of insecurity is detrimental to the growth, development and future of the nation as panic and tension continually mount on the citizens regarding their safety, while investor’s confidence is reduced.
“Farmlands have been abandoned resulting in a decrease in food production, scarcity, hunger and inflation as well as displacement of large population.
“The House is concerned that the continued presence of banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of insecurity in Nigeria underscore a clear deficiency in our country’s security architecture, thereby necessitating a critical need to reassess, reevaluate and reinvent the nation’s response and tactics for combatting these unconscionable security breaches.
“The House is worried that if willful and productive actions are not deployed to ascertain, review, develop and strengthen comprehensive strategies to curbing this unprecedented wave of security crises; its scope will continue to widen, perhaps to areas where there has been relatively peaceful.”
The plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, further urged its Committees on Police Institutions, Army, Interior and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance with its directive and report back within four weeks for further legislative actions.