By Nkechi Eze
The Federal Government has called for stronger collaboration and coordination among Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies as part of renewed efforts to effectively address the country’s evolving security challenges.
The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, made the call while addressing the press after a high-level meeting with intelligence and security stakeholders at the Ministry of Defence in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the Principal Superintendent of Press at the Ministry, Ituke Patience, the minister stressed the urgent need for a unified and integrated approach to intelligence gathering and security operations, particularly in the face of asymmetric warfare.
Musa commended the dedication and resilience of Nigeria’s security personnel, noting that despite numerous operational challenges, they continue to serve the country with courage and commitment. He observed that the nature of the nation’s security threats often makes their sacrifices less visible, even though their contributions remain critical to maintaining national stability.
The minister described the country’s security situation as a collective national concern, stressing that Nigeria’s response must equally be collective. While acknowledging that security agencies have recorded notable progress in recent years, he pointed out that fragmented efforts have sometimes limited the overall effectiveness of operations.
“We have been operating in silos for too long. It is time to come together, harness our collective intelligence, and work as a unified team to support our troops and safeguard the nation,” he said.
Musa reiterated the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for enhanced joint action across all security institutions, noting that every agency and government parastatal has a critical role to play in strengthening national security.
He emphasized the need to effectively integrate both human and technical intelligence to generate actionable information capable of enabling rapid and decisive responses by troops deployed in various operational theatres across the country.
The minister also highlighted the importance of public participation in security efforts, urging Nigerians to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information to relevant authorities.
“Asymmetric warfare requires intelligence-driven operations,” Musa stated, explaining that the enemy is often hidden and difficult to identify, making it imperative for security agencies to strengthen the nation’s intelligence architecture and remain vigilant at all times.
The meeting, described as the first of its kind at the Ministry of Defence, is expected to lay the foundation for a more coordinated intelligence framework designed to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen Nigeria’s overall security architecture.
