President Bola Tinubu on Friday assured Nigerians that the ongoing recalibration of the country’s security architecture would soon begin to yield results that will gladden their hearts.
Speaking while playing host to a delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) led by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, at his Ikoyi-Lagos residence, the President said his administration was committed to establishing state and community police to change the country’s security narratives.
He called on CAN to work with his administration to achieve the nation’s collective aspirations, stating that some of the measures taken by his administration needed some time to mature.
According to Tinubu: “The mood of the nation is peaceful, although our ungoverned spaces are so large. The challenge is real, but we will surmount it. We are very religious. We are prayer warriors. We need your focus, vigilance, and cooperation.
“Community and State Police will be a reality once the National Assembly completes the required legislative inputs; Military hardware is difficult to replace. It is expensive and not available off the shelf.
“Our orders for four attack helicopters from the United States of America will take some time to arrive. We have approached Turkey for assistance.”
The President, however, said that the delays were affecting public perception of the administration’s commitment to addressing the security challenges.
He said the government was not relenting in its efforts to return the nation to peace and prosperity, despite the guerrilla tactics of the bandits and insurgents.
Commenting on the recent abduction and release of school children in Niger and Kebbi states, Tinubu called for vigilance on the part of all, adding that, “the rhetoric on how the children were released or what happened to the kidnappers is secondary; the end justifies the means.”
Experts Applaud US Military Onslaught Against Terrorists, Bandits in North-West
Security experts have praised the ongoing United States military operations against terrorists and bandits in Nigeria’s North-West, conducted in collaboration with the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Reacting to the joint operations, security expert Lawrence Alobi said: “A friend in need is a friend indeed. Americans see Nigeria as a friend of their government. They know Nigeria is facing significant, even intercontinental, challenges. If you are a good friend, you ask, ‘How can I assist?’ This is a problem-solving approach. The U.S. military operation is a welcome development.
“At least, it sends a signal to militants that they are not winning the war. It is also an example of international cooperation—bilateral cooperation among nations. America has interests in Nigeria, and they know that if Nigeria is in turmoil, it affects those interests. I believe this is the right direction, and I am happy the Nigerian government is cooperating with the U.S. to bring this issue to an end, so that peace and security can prevail without threat to lives and property.”
Former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mike Ejiofor, also welcomed the strikes, saying: “It is a welcome development. It follows the threat issued by President Trump, who has done exactly what he promised. Many thought it was an empty threat, but I always believed he would act.
“The challenge then was that Trump was not working in conjunction with the Nigerian government. Nigeria is a sovereign state, so I advised that the federal government liaise with the U.S. to work out collaboration. You recall that the government sent a delegation led by the NSA where modalities were agreed.
“Regarding the long-fought terrorism in Nigeria, I believe it will make a difference. Previously, when an American citizen was kidnapped in Niger and brought to Nigeria, U.S. forces collaborated with Nigeria, neutralised the bandits, and rescued the citizen. What is required now is intelligence and precision. Although casualty levels are not yet confirmed, I believe civilians were not harmed. Reports suggest one of the cell leaders may have been neutralised, though this is unconfirmed.”
Reacting to the development, a retired diplomat, Ambassador Ejike Eze, said the success of the operation would depend largely on the sincerity of those implementing the ongoing joint military operation.
According to him, the effort would succeed only if there was genuine commitment on the part of those executing it, but would fail if driven by ulterior motives or if the Nigerian state continued to drift in its response to the insecurity bedevilling the country.
He noted that one immediate and observable implication of the development was a partial loss of sovereignty.
However, he added, “That is the price we have to pay for our inability, incapacity and lack of capability to effectively deal with the situation ourselves.”
In contrast, the former spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ogbole Amedu Ode, expressed excitement that the Nigerian military carried out the onslaught in cooperation with U.S. forces.
Sokoto State Government Welcomes Intervention
Sokoto State Government on Friday confirmed the airstrikes, saying it welcomed the development.
In a statement issued by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Sokoto, Abubakar Bawa, the government noted that the impact could not be immediately determined, as they await assessment of the joint operations.
It stated: “Sokoto State welcomes any collaboration between Nigeria, and all relevant global stakeholders aimed at curbing the menace of terrorism and cross-border crimes in the State.
“The ongoing operations are geared towards securing the State and ensuring the protection of lives and property of the citizenry.”
The statement noted that over the past two years, Sokoto State Government has consistently supported security agencies in the fight against banditry and terrorism by providing necessary equipment to enhance safety across the State.
Chuks Okocha, Deji Elumoye, Olawale Ajimotokan, Linus Aleke, Sunday Ehigiator, Onuminya Innocent and Fidelis David
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