President Bola Tinubu has given assurance that his administration will soon bring about a change in the nation’s security architecture. This statement was made during his first official meeting with security and intelligence heads, led by Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
President Tinubu emphasized the need to combat oil theft and declared zero tolerance for such activities, urging the Service Chiefs and security agencies to crush anyone involved in this menace.
He also highlighted that Nigeria should not succumb to security challenges while other countries are making progress and achieving significant milestones.
After the two-hour meeting, National Security Adviser Major Gen. Bafana Monguno (retd) informed State House correspondents that the President had instructed security agencies to present their blueprints.
The meeting served as an appraisal session for the President to receive updates on the activities of various security formations and to express his expectations and philosophy to the security heads.
Major Gen. Monguno stated, “The President expressed appreciation to the armed forces, intelligence agencies, and wider paramilitary agencies for their work over the past years, their sacrifices, and loyalty. He also paid tribute to those who have lost their lives defending the country against terrorism, insurgency, banditry, oil theft, sea robbery, piracy, and other threats.”
President Tinubu affirmed his determination to build upon the existing gains and reverse the nation’s misfortunes, emphasizing the need for the security agencies to intensify their efforts. He outlined his contemporary security approach that adapts to the requirements of the current times.
Furthermore, the President stressed the importance of coordinated national security, calling for unified efforts and effective collaboration among all agencies. He rejected any form of working at cross purposes and emphasized the necessity for coordination, frequent consultations, and timely action based on reports.
President Tinubu intends to undertake significant reforms in the security architecture, with a particular focus on addressing challenges in the maritime domain and combating oil theft. He has directed the security agencies to develop a blueprint urgently, acknowledging the limited time available for implementing necessary changes.
The President has also emphasized the welfare of the armed forces and urged that operational elements be adequately supported, including provisions for their needs, motivation, and proper equipment.
Tinubu expects intelligence agencies to facilitate the work of the armed forces by providing the necessary intelligence required for their operations.
Tinubu is committed to overhauling the security architecture, tackling oil theft decisively, and ensuring effective coordination and collaboration among security agencies to address national security challenges.