This call came as officials underscored the importance of grassroots security initiatives and the welfare of police officers in maintaining national security.

At a stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Umuahia on Thursday, themed “Community Policing: Building A Safer Nigeria Together,” Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, highlighted ongoing federal efforts to improve police welfare through a six-point framework designed to strengthen the force.

She emphasized the need for public cooperation in security responsibilities and outlined plans for upgrading police infrastructure, including barracks and training schools.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim also praised Abia State for its security measures and the efforts of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in the state.

The meeting aimed to foster transparent dialogue between the Ministry of Police Affairs and citizens, detailing current and upcoming reforms within the Nigeria Police.

Abia State Governor Alex Otti reinforced the collective responsibility for security, noting his administration’s support for the police and other security agencies.

Additionally, the Minister commissioned a new Police Clinic and a school for police officers’ children in Umuahia.

The statement came after he met with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja on Tuesday, during his visit to Nigeria as part of a broader tour of African nations.

Blinken emphasized that the success of American initiatives in the region would be closely tied to the concerted efforts made by African nations to ensure the safety of civilian populations.

He underscored the importance of supporting partners in finding effective ways to provide security, citing collaborative efforts with Nigeria and Lake Chad region partners.

Addressing the security challenges faced by Africa, particularly in countering extreme terrorism, violence, and criminal activities, Blinken voiced the U.S.’s concerns.

He lamented instances of insecurity and undemocratic means used to change democratically elected leaders, citing the situation in Niger Republic as an example.

Highlighting the need for synergy between African countries and the United States, Blinken stressed that such collaboration must be built on critical regional strategies to effectively address security challenges and ensure stability.

The U.S. Secretary of State’s visit reaffirms the commitment of the United States to work alongside African nations in fostering lasting peace and security on the continent.

This includes combatting corruption, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring security for both Nigerian citizens and businesses.

Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, unveiled these priorities on Monday during an interaction with journalists at the State House in Abuja, following the inaugural Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

Recapping the discussions of the meeting, Edun revealed that President Tinubu and the newly appointed ministers assessed the President’s “eight priority areas for moving the Nigerian economy forward and for delivering to Nigerians”.

These areas encompass Food Security, Poverty Alleviation, Economic Growth and Job Creation.

Other areas of focus by the Tinubu administration, according to Edun, are Access to Capital, “particularly consumer credit”; Inclusivity in all its dimensions, “particularly as regards youth and women”; Improving Security – “improving the playing field that people and particularly companies operate”; Rule of Law; and Fighting Corruption.

“It’s around those metrics that we plan and the targets of what will be delivered in the next three years or so were identified, discussed, and input was given by various ministers,” the finance minister noted.

“We’ll now go away with marching orders to refine further the targets in particular and within which to start rolling out policies and programmes to turn around the economy and make things better for all Nigerians.”

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2023 Nigerian Army Day Celebration and the 160th Anniversary of the Nigerian Army, Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented President Tinubu in Ibadan.

President Tinubu pledges to tackle threats and address national security challenges promptly and effectively. He emphasizes his administration’s responsibility to ensure the safety of law-abiding citizens and uphold the unity of the nation within the limits set by the Constitution.

The President assures the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces of his dedication to their welfare. He acknowledges the need to address issues such as equipment shortages and inadequate funding that hinder their operations.

Tinubu states that his government has implemented mechanisms to comprehensively address the challenges faced by the Armed Forces, enabling them to carry out their duties more effectively.

While calling for national unity and the rejection of divisive actions, President Tinubu commends the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their joint efforts in combating Boko Haram.

He urges them to replicate their success in tackling banditry and other criminal activities that threaten the country’s stability.

The Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, highlights the Nigerian Army’s commitment to fulfilling its constitutional role and ensuring domestic and global security.

He praises the Army’s efforts in reducing the activities of insurgency, terrorism, and banditry through coordinated operations. Lagbaja acknowledges the progress made in enhancing professionalism, administration, and cooperation with sister agencies.

Maj.-Gen. Lagbaja expresses gratitude to President Tinubu for his constant support and inspiration, reiterating his loyalty to the President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The ceremony is attended by other esteemed guests, including the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, a representative of the Inspector-General of Police, former Chiefs of Army Staff, traditional leaders, and the Ooni of Ife.

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.

Other items include, among others, the completion of the Abuja-Kaduna railway, the completion of the Lagos-Ibadan and related additional works, the rehabilitation of the Itakpe-Ajaokuta rail line and the construction of 12 NOS stations and track laying works at the railway ancillary facilities area in Agbor

The sum, which is a component of the executive proposal of the federal government in the 2023 Appropriations Bill, also includes about N126.53 billion for the parent Ministry of Transport.

Of the figure, the Ministry of Transport headquarters gets N93.66 billion; Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, gets N20.45 billion; National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, gets N5.39 billion.

Others are: National Institute of Transportation, NIT, which gets N4.69; Maritime Academy, Oron, receives N1.55 billion, while Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria gets N775 million.

Also, the Federal Government has proposed to spend a total of N4,31 billion of its N126.53 billion budget on purchase of trains, under the line items, code: 23010111, while N100 billion would be expended on facilitating the Mass Transit scheme.

Procurement and rehabilitation of rolling stock (Narrow Gauge), and rehabilitation of narrow gauge track from Minna to Narrow with extension to the Baro River Port, which are ongoing, would gulp N2.98 billion.

Also, establishment and management of six national freight offices nationwide, which is ongoing gulps N100 million, while N10 million would be spent on education and construction of speed reduction signages using the International Road Assessment Program, CIRAP, with Federal Capital Territory Authority, FCTA.

The federal government has also planned to spend N45 million on rehabilitation of central Air conditioner system, toilets and offices and leakages on the roof, and physical head count of staff of the ministry.

Participants at the capacity building workshop on conflict and sensitive reporting and the 2023 general elections for working journalists in Kano State made the call in a communique issued at the end of the one-day workshop held at Ten To Ten Restaurant in Kano on Wednesday.

The communique was signed by the Chairman and Secretary Drafting Committee, Abubakar A. Dangambo and Hadiza Muhammad respectively.

The participants, drawn from the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, and various media organisations in the state, resolved to work closely with other relevant stakeholders to ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2023.

They also called for continuous training and retraining of media professionals for effective reportage of political activities including elections.

The participants further called for continuous collaboration with relevant bodies for voter education and sensitisation.

While ensuring fair and objective reportage in the coverage of the 2023 general elections, using the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act, as amended, the communique urged media professionals to avoid casting sensational headlines and fake news breaks in their reportage of campaigns and elections.

“The professionals then advised fellow journalists to distance themselves from dangerous situations and occurrences during campaigns and elections,so as to be safe and alive to write their stories,” the communique stated.

In addition, the communique urged journalists to develop themselves and update their knowledge on happenings around Nigeria and the world for effective discharge of their duties.

Monguno, who said the situation is under control, described as false and irresponsible the perception of heightened insecurity in Abuja as painted by the UK and the US.

Monguno made the disclosure on Monday at a briefing after a Security Council Meeting presided over by President Muhamadu Buhari at the state house.

He insisted that the alert was for American and British citizens and that the way it was released complicated the situation.

The alert, he underscored, was simply an unnecessary distraction and nothing untoward so far.

The NSA advised Nigerians to go about their daily activities without fear, saying that the security agencies are in control and that Nigeria country is safe.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

According to the statement, Buhari who stated that Nigerians’ safety remains the highest priority of the government noted that security agents are proactively rooting out threats to keep citizens safe.

The President expressed optimism that given the ongoing efforts on the part of the military and other security and intelligence agencies with the active support of the civilian population, the nation will emerge victorious against the current challenges facing it.

Buhari said “Nigeria is no exception in having terror threats listed in foreign government’s travel advice to their citizens. UK and US travel advisories also state there is a high likelihood of terror attacks in many Western European nations. Indeed, the UK and US advice to their respective citizens for travel to one another’s countries contain the same warning. Unfortunately, terror is a reality all over the world.

“However, it does not mean an attack in Abuja is imminent. Since the July prison raid, security measures have been reinforced in and around the FCT.

“Heightened monitoring and interception of terrorist communications ensure potential threats are caught further upstream. Attacks are being foiled. Security agents are proactively rooting out threats to keep citizens safe – much of their work unseen and necessarily confidential.

“Nigerians’ safety remains the highest priority of the government. Security services are working around the clock to keep harm at bay.”

The President stressed that while being security conscious, alert and careful, it is also important that responsible members of the society do not create situations leading to unnecessary panic.

He commended the military and other security agencies for the recent turnaround in the nation’s security and directed that additional precautionary measures be put in place and during the upcoming festive period.

The Director of the Service in charge of Yobe, Mr Yunusa Abdulkadir made the plea in Damaturu at the Third Quarterly Conference of the State Directors of Security in the North-East Zone.

He noted that the strike, which paralysed university education in the country, had security implications.

“In as much as we know that ASUU is pursuing a genuine cause, they should take a deeper look at the peculiarities of North-East region that has stayed for over a decade in the hands of insurgents,” Yunusa said.

The director also called for the establishment of psychiatric hospital in Yobe to check post traumatic disorder caused by insurgency.

He said failure to do so could lead to high victims of trauma, who could pose another security threat to the state other than that of the insurgents.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Occasion, Mr Hassan Abdullahi said the conference would analyse security threats, share experiences and chat a way forward.

Abdullahi, who is also the DSS Director for Bauchi State, listed the security challenges in the zone to include insurgency, Kidnapping, banditry and cattle rustling.

He commended the state government for its unwavering support and co-operation to the DSS and other security outfits.

The state deputy governor, Alhaji Idi Gubana described the conference as timely considering the current security challenges in the country.

He said although successes had been recorded in the fight against insurgency, more work needed to be done to ensure total decimation of remnants of the terrorists in the state and the region.

Gubana assured that Gov. Mai Mala Buni’s administration would always align itself with the goals and objectives of all the security agencies in the state.