President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate implementation of new security strategies, including enhanced regional cooperation, in response to the recent surge in terrorist activity affecting several northern states.
The President issued the directive during a high-level security meeting at the State House, Abuja, on Friday, where he met with the nation’s security and intelligence chiefs to review the worsening security situation in Plateau, Benue, Borno, and other flashpoints across the country.
Addressing journalists after the closed-door session, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, revealed that President Tinubu expressed deep concern over the resurgence of violence, which he attributed largely to transnational terrorist pressure across the Sahel region.
“There is 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.
“Mr. President has given directives as to what to do next—for us to intensify our efforts and collaborate with all our sister countries around. It is the porous nature of our borders that is aggravating our issues on the ground”, General Musa said.
General Musa noted that all operational theatres across the country have been reinforced with new equipment and that the President had recently approved the acquisition of additional air assets to boost the armed forces’ response capacity.
“Equipment has been bought, and Mr. President has also given us multiple approvals for air assets and other aspects of security. But it’s not only about the kinetic effort—the non-kinetic aspect is most important too”, he disclosed.
The Defence Chief emphasized that a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach is being adopted, with the President expected to engage state governors in efforts to promote grassroots development and ensure that the dividends of democracy reach vulnerable communities, thereby addressing one of the root causes of insecurity.
“The President is also looking at engaging the governors for their support and buy-in, ensuring that dividends of democracy extend to the communities to help stamp down insecurity,” General Musa said.
Also present at the meeting were the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar; Director General of the Department of State Services, Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi; Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Sadiq Idris Abubakar; and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye.
General Musa underscored the importance of unity among the security agencies, asserting that the current approach is built on inter-agency collaboration and a shared commitment to peace.
“You can see we are together—the National Security Adviser, the DG DSS, and all the service chiefs. Members of the armed forces are working in unity, including the police, to make sure that Nigeria is peaceful. That is our mandate, and we are committed to it.”
He also used the occasion to caution Nigerians against the spread of fake news and sensationalist social media content, many of which he said are recycled or foreign videos that do not reflect the current situation in Nigeria.
“There’s a lot of fake news being spread out, making it look worse than it is. Most of the videos being circulated are from other countries or old footage made to look new. Why do some individuals feel happy when things go bad in their country? If Nigeria is destroyed, we all go down. So it is important that we all cooperate with the armed forces and security agencies”, he warned.
The Defence Chief also reassured residents of Borno, Plateau, and other affected states of the military’s commitment to restoring peace and stability.
He revealed that top military and ministerial officials have recently visited the North-East to strengthen coordination with state governments.
“We were just in the North-East with the ministers. I just came back from Maiduguri. We’re working together with the governors because we know we cannot do it alone. The federal government is doing so much, but states need to come in,” he said.
General Musa concluded with a rallying call to all Nigerians to support the nation’s security agencies and play their part in securing their communities.
“Local governments and communities—everyone has a role to play in ensuring peace in Nigeria. That’s what we’re pushing. We’re happy that Nigerians are warming up to it and disregarding the naysayers. We’re going to continue to succeed. That, we assure all Nigerians”, he said.
