FG intensifying efforts to combat terrorism, banditry, says Information Minister

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to intensifying efforts to combat insecurity in Nigeria through increased investment in equipment, manpower, and intelligence gathering.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday at the first international conference organized by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), themed “Interrogating the Root Cause of Violence in the Sahel and Its Impact on Nigeria’s Territorial Integrity,” Idris highlighted the administration’s focus on addressing security challenges posed by the ongoing violence in the Sahel region.

Idris explained that Nigeria’s shared border with conflict-ridden Sahelian countries exposes it to the spillover effects of terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking, and violent extremism. He warned that this porous border exacerbates Nigeria’s security vulnerabilities and hampers efforts to control illegal activities.

“Nigeria shares a long and porous border with several Sahelian countries caught up in conflict, making us vulnerable to the spillover effects of the conflict. This not only threatens our security but also challenges our capacity to maintain effective control over our borders,” Idris said.

He also noted that experts have attributed these challenges to factors such as socioeconomic marginalization, weak governance, environmental degradation, and illegal arms trafficking. Idris warned that the conflicts in the Sahel are taking a toll on Nigeria’s economy, internal security, and overall well-being.

Despite the challenges, the Minister assured that the Tinubu administration is committed to addressing the root causes of insecurity through both domestic and international collaboration.

He pointed to Nigeria’s involvement in joint military operations like the Multinational Joint Task Force as a critical step towards stabilizing the region.

“On the home front, security has remained a top priority in President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and through investment in equipment, manpower, acquisition of more fighting platforms, and intelligence gathering, we are winning the war against insecurity,” he stated.

Idris emphasized that tackling these issues will require coordinated efforts between government agencies, international partners, and security experts to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity and contribute to lasting peace in the Sahel region.

He urged the experts at the conference to delve deeply into the root causes of the conflict in the Sahel and propose innovative solutions to mitigate the challenges.

The conference, the first in the annual NAN lecture series, was attended by key national and international figures, including former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who chaired the occasion, and Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, who delivered the keynote address.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the guest of honor at the event, was represented by National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu.

The event which brought together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore solutions to the growing instability in the region, had other prominent attendees including Chief of Defense Staff General Christopher Musa, Katsina State Governor Alhaji Umar Dikko Radda, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, and Minister of Steel Development Alhaji Shuaibu Abubakar.

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