President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s security framework, underscoring national security as a crucial focus of his governance.
At the Chief of Defence Staff Joint Task Force Commanders Conference in Abuja, Tinubu praised the military and security agencies for their unwavering efforts in addressing security challenges across the nation.
In a speech delivered by the Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, the President acknowledged the significant contributions of the Armed Forces and the collaborative efforts of various security bodies in combating armed criminality.
“While I commend the dedication of our Armed Forces, I also recognize the vital role of joint task forces and other security agencies in ensuring accountability for armed criminals,” said Tinubu. “This commitment is essential for maintaining peace and stability in Nigeria, and I will continue to support our security and paramilitary forces in their duties.”
The President emphasized the importance of collaboration among all security agencies to tackle the dynamic security challenges facing the country.
He urged participants to pursue innovative strategies, integrate new technologies, and enhance multi-agency partnerships to effectively counter security threats.
During the conference, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa pointed out the increasing security dangers from improvised explosive devices and the rising use of armed drones by terrorist groups.
He stressed the critical need for the military to implement innovative and adaptive strategies to address these evolving threats effectively.
“As we celebrate our accomplishments, we must stay alert to the continuously changing security landscape, which brings new challenges,” Musa noted. “Emerging threats such as armed drones and transnational crimes require us to leverage technology and enhance intelligence-sharing among agencies.”
Senate Defence Committee Chairman, Senator Ahmed Lawan, called for increased investment in defence and intelligence to confront Nigeria’s security challenges comprehensively.
Lawan also suggested restructuring military procurement to align with operational requirements of various security services.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, represented at the event, highlighted that promoting peace and security is a fundamental aspect of Nigeria’s foreign policy and aligned with the military’s goals to keep the nation a beacon for Africa and the world.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is committed to translating our national vision into effective diplomatic action,” he stated.
Additionally, the House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to collaborate with local vigilantes to patrol forests nationwide, aiming to eradicate the stronghold of bandits and herdsmen.
This resolution followed a motion sponsored by a lawmaker during the plenary session, highlighting Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with various forms of insecurity, including terrorism and banditry, which have led to tragic losses and societal unrest.
The lawmaker pointed out that the Amotekun Corps has mobilized over 2,000 personnel to combat criminal activities in the South-West region, advocating for a comprehensive approach to extend these efforts into neighbouring areas of the South-South.
“This alarming trend of insecurity poses a significant threat to the nation’s growth and development, inciting panic and diminishing investor confidence,” the lawmaker warned.
He highlighted that abandoned farmlands attributed to insecurity contribute to food scarcity and inflation, reinforcing the urgent need for an overhaul of the national security architecture.
“If decisive measures are not implemented to assess and refine our strategies against this wave of insecurity, the challenges will continue to spread to previously peaceful areas,” he added.
The Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, presided over the plenary, which directed its Committees on Police, Army, Interior, and Legislative Compliance to ensure the implementation of these recommendations and report back within four weeks.
