President Bola Tinubu has met with service chiefs for the first time since his assumption into office, demanding security agencies strengthen coordination and not work at cross purposes.
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At the end of the meeting on Thursday, the President disclosed his own philosophy towards dealing with security issues, which is the adoption of contemporary security measures to advance the country’s security fortunes.
National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno (L) and President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on June 1, 2023. Photo Credit: President’s Personal Photographer, Nosa Asemota
Addressing State House correspondents, the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, who conveyed the President’s message, disclosed that the President demands frequent consultations in tandem with the demands of the nation and will embark on a lot of reforms.
The President also mandated the security agencies to develop a blueprint to deal with the issue of crude oil theft, indicating that the changes meet the requirements of the changing times.
Those in attendance at the President’s first engagement with heads of the nation’s security and intelligence agencies include the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao; and the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba.
Others are the Director-General of the Department of State Service(DSS), Yusuf Bichi; and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.
Vehicles convey security chiefs after meeting with President Bola Tinubu on June 1, 2023
At the end of the meeting President Tinubu had with the Service Chiefs, IGP & Heads of Intelligence Agencies; he says his philosophy towards dealing with security issues, is the adoption of contemporary security measures to advance the country’s security fortunes. #CTVTweets pic.twitter.com/ZfZwf760T1
— Channels Television (@channelstv) June 1, 2023
‘I Will Defend Nigeria From Terror’
Tinubu, during his inaugural speech at Eagle Square on Monday, promised to prioritise security, amongst other pressing areas.
He said, “We shall defend the nation from terror and all forms of criminality that threaten the peace and stability of our country and our sub-region.”
“Security shall be the top priority of our administration because neither prosperity nor justice can prevail amidst insecurity and violence.
“To effectively tackle this menace, we shall reform both our security doctrine and its architecture.
“We shall invest more in our security personnel, and this means more than an increase in number. We shall provide, better training, equipment, pay, and firepower,” he added.
