• as President calls for strengthened collaboration with neighbouring countries
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu on Friday held a crucial meeting with Nigeria’s Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, amid rising concerns over the country’s security situation. The meeting took place ahead of the President’s scheduled trip to Rome on Saturday for the inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV, following an official invitation from the Vatican.
In attendance were the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; and Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Musa speaking to State House Correspondents after the meeting, gave an extensive briefing on the state of security in Nigeria, offering reassurance to Nigerians and affirming the government’s commitment to tackling insecurity head-on.
“Well, it’s one of assurance,” the CDS began. “I think our meeting today is for us to review the entire security situation in the country. The President is concerned about what’s going on, and we have reassured him that we’re on top of our game. We’re working extremely very hard.”
The CDS explained that the recent spike in insecurity is linked to a broader regional challenge: “What has happened of recent is that there’s a global push by terrorists and jihadists all over the Sahel area, and that pressure is what actually came into Nigeria because of the nature of our borders.”
He reiterated that President Tinubu has given clear directives to intensify efforts and strengthen regional collaboration: “Mr. President has given directives as to what to do next for us to intensify our efforts, collaborate with all our sister countries around, because it is the porous nature that is coming there that is actually aggravating our own issues on ground. And so all our theaters have been enhanced.”
The CDS highlighted the government’s investment in security resources saying: “Equipments have been bought. Mr. President has also given us much approvals for air assets and other aspects of security.”
Musa stressed that the fight against insecurity is not only kinetic but also involves non-kinetic strategies: “It’s not only the kinetic effort, the non-kinetic aspect that is most important. The President is also looking at the aspect of also discussing with the governors for their own support, buying in, ensuring that we, and dividends of democracy also extends to the communities to be able to stamp down the issue of insecurity.”
He further underscored the unity among security agencies: “We’re working together. You can see we’re together with the National Security Advisor, the NSA, the DGDSS, and all other ones. So we’re working together as a team. And you can see us here, members of the armed forces, working in unity, including the police, to make sure that Nigeria is peaceful. And that is our mandate, and that will work towards.”
The CDS issued a strong appeal to Nigerians to remain patient and vigilant: “We want to appeal to all Nigerians not to get tired. And they should be wary of fake news. A lot of fake news that has been spread out, making it look, most of the videos being circulated are videos from other countries, or old videos, making it look as if it is new.”
He questioned the motives behind such misinformation: “You know, you always want to wonder, why do some individuals feel happy when things go bad in their country? And so it is important that we all cooperate with members of the armed forces and security agencies.”
The CDS encouraged citizens to report any suspicious activities or misconduct: “If we see something that is going wrong anywhere in the country, let us report, action will be taken, including our own personnel. If we see them doing what is not supposed to be done, they should report and we’ll take action.”
Responding to concerns raised by governors from states such as Benue and Plateau, Musa reassured Nigerians that the federal government is working closely with state authorities.
“Not long ago, we went to the North East together with the ministers. The chief of defense staff and other services have gone. Yesterday, I just came out from Maiduguri to show you that we’re working together with all the governors because we know we cannot do it alone. We need also the governors to be part of it. The federal government is doing so much. States need to come in, local governments and communities. Everyone has a role to play in ensuring there’s peace in Nigeria. And that’s what we try to push and that’s what we’re doing.”
He ended on a note of optimism: “And we’re happy that Nigerians are warming up to it. But disregarding all those ones, you know, they are naysayers, those ones that don’t mean us well. We’re shaming them because we’re going to continue to succeed. That we assure all Nigerians.”