President Tinubu has directed the military to increase efforts across all regions and improve coordination with neighbouring countries to adequately tackle the prevailing insecurity in parts of the country.
The Chief of Defence staff, General Christopher Musa, stated this after a security meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja, this Friday.
He also annouced that President Tinubu has approved more equipment, including new air assets, to help fight insecurity.
According to him, both military force and non-violent methods are needed to bring peace to the country .
“Mr. President has given directives for us to intensify our efforts, collaborate with all our sister countries around, because it is the porous nature that is actually aggravating our issues on ground.
“Equipment has been bought. Mr. President has also given us many approvals for air assets and other aspects of security. As we mentioned, it’s not only the kinetic effort. The non-kinetic aspect is most important,” the CDS pointed out.
Gen Musa further revealed that the armed forces are also working closely with state governors to ensure joint efforts in tackling the threats.
“The Federal Government is doing so much. States need to come in, local governments and communities. Everyone has a role to play in ensuring that there’s peace in Nigeria,” he declared.
The Defence Chief blamed the country’s porous borders for the rising wave of terrorist attacks, pointing out that armed groups fleeing the Sahel are sneaking into Nigeria and causing more violence.
“What has happened recently is that there’s a global push by terrorists and jihadists all over the Sahel area, and that pressure is what actually came into Nigeria because of the porous nature of our borders,” General Musa said.
He argued that Nigeria’s land borders—stretching over 4,000 kilometres—make it easy for fighters escaping conflicts in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso to enter the country.
The Defence Chief revealed that President Tinubu has directed the military to increase efforts across all regions and improve coordination with neighbouring countries.
General Musa called on Nigerians to support the military by sharing useful information and to beware of false videos spreading fear.
“It is important that we all cooperate with members of the armed forces and security agencies. If we see something going wrong anywhere in the country, let us report it; action will be taken, including by our own personnel. If we see them doing what is not supposed to be done, they should take report and we’ll take action.
“We want to appeal to all Nigerians not to get tired and be wary of fake news. A lot of fake news has been spread,” Gen Musa warned.
