From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has stated that if other Nigerian states adopted Kebbi State’s collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, the country’s security challenges could be resolved.
Speaking to reporters in Birnin Kebbi after a closed-door meeting with heads of the Nigerian Army, DSS, and Nigeria Police at the Government House, alongside Governor Nasir Idris, Abubakar praised Kebbi’s support for security agencies.
He said: “His commitment towards supporting security men and women in the state is overwhelming… We have seen remarkable changes in the security in the state, and he has said and confirmed it himself that farmers have gone back to the farms, and a lot of activities continued uninterrupted, unhindered.”
Abubakar attributed Kebbi’s improved security to this partnership, noting, “If we have this relationship between this state and the federal government in all the states across the country, together we can fight these evils and end them.”
Earlier, Abubakar visited Duku Barrack 1 Battalion and the Forward Operations Base-Laager, responsible for securing the Illela-Sokoto-Badagary superhighway. He conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s appreciation to the troops, urging them to intensify efforts against the Lakurawa terrorist group. He stated, “The president asked me to encourage them to do more so that we can block the influx of Lakurawa in the country… They would not rest on their oars until they finish Lakurawa and make Nigeria a safer country.”
Abubakar acknowledged ongoing security improvements, saying, “We are not saying we have ended the insecurity, but we are saying that we are improving gradually, slow but steady; we would end it insha Allahu.”
He noted discussions with security experts and the National Security Adviser’s team to address Kebbi’s challenges holistically, though details remained undisclosed.