President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Friday, convened a high-level meeting with Nigeria’s security chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, as part of ongoing efforts to address the country’s security challenges. The closed-door meeting, which lasted several hours, brought together heads of the armed forces and other key security agencies to review current threats and refine strategies for tackling insecurity across the country.
The meeting comes amid rising concerns over persistent attacks by bandits in the North-West, insurgency in the North-East, and increasing cases of kidnapping and communal clashes in various parts of Nigeria. President Tinubu, who has consistently prioritized security as a cornerstone of his administration, reiterated his commitment to restoring peace and protecting lives and property.
High-Level Security Engagement
In attendance at the meeting were the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar. Also present were the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.
Sources close to the presidency revealed that the discussions focused on enhancing inter-agency collaboration, improving intelligence gathering, and accelerating the deployment of advanced surveillance technology.
President Calls for Coordinated, Results-Driven Security Operations
Addressing the security chiefs, President Tinubu charged them to work more closely together and deliver results that Nigerians can feel in their daily lives. He emphasized that Nigerians were tired of excuses and deserved to live in safety regardless of where they reside.
“We cannot afford to fail the Nigerian people,” Tinubu was quoted as saying. “Our citizens deserve to travel without fear, sleep without anxiety, and go about their daily lives in peace. I expect to see synergy, commitment, and measurable progress.”
The President also called for a shift from reactive to proactive security strategies. He stressed the need for intelligence-led operations, community engagement, and swift responses to threats before they escalate.
Focus Areas: Banditry, Terrorism, and Urban Crime
While the presidency has not officially released the full details of the meeting, sources confirmed that a significant portion of the briefing focused on recent developments in Kaduna, Zamfara, and Borno states, where fresh attacks by non-state actors have claimed dozens of lives and displaced many families.
Additionally, the recent rise in urban crimes, including armed robbery and kidnappings for ransom in cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, was reportedly discussed with urgency. President Tinubu directed the Inspector-General of Police to intensify urban policing and ensure better visibility of police officers in high-risk zones.
NSA Ribadu: “President’s Mandate Is Clear—Deliver Results”
Following the meeting, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, addressed journalists briefly, assuring Nigerians that the government is fully aware of their security concerns and is actively taking steps to address them.
“The President has given us a clear directive—deliver results and restore confidence,” Ribadu said. “This is not a time for bureaucracy or delay. We are mobilizing resources, refining our strategies, and moving swiftly to ensure every Nigerian feels safe.”
He added that recent joint operations by the military and police had yielded positive outcomes in several areas but acknowledged that more needed to be done.
Citizens React with Cautious Optimism
News of the President’s meeting with security chiefs has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians. While some see it as a welcome development that signals renewed attention to national security, others expressed skepticism, citing a history of such meetings that yielded limited results.
“I hope this time, it’s not just talk. We need real change,” said Halima Abubakar, a resident of Kaduna who was recently displaced by bandit attacks. “We are tired of promises. Let the President show us action.”
In Lagos, a business owner, John Okeke, praised the meeting but urged the government to focus more on intelligence and technology.
“Our security agents need better tools and training. It’s not just about guns—it’s about knowing what’s coming and stopping it before it happens,” he said.
Looking Ahead
President Tinubu, who marked his first full year in office earlier this year, has repeatedly assured citizens that security remains at the top of his administration’s agenda. His decision to regularly meet with security chiefs underscores the seriousness with which his government is addressing the country’s complex security landscape.
As Nigerians await the next steps following the Aso Rock briefing, many are hopeful that the President’s firm tone and high-level engagements will translate into tangible improvements in national security and public safety.
