My office will complement, not replace existing security agencies, says Famadewa

The Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, retired Major General Adeyinka Famadewa, has said his office was created to complement the work of existing security agencies rather than replace them as the Federal Government strengthens coordination to tackle evolving security threats.

Famadewa stated this on Friday during the maiden Homeland Security Stakeholders’ Meeting held at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in Abuja.

The meeting brought together heads and representatives of key ministries, departments and agencies, alongside security stakeholders, to improve collaboration in strengthening Nigeria’s homeland security architecture.

According to Famadewa, the Office of the Special Adviser is designed to enhance coordination among security institutions while supporting ongoing efforts to improve national security.

He commended the Armed Forces and other security agencies for what he described as their sacrifices in restoring peace across the country, stressing that non-kinetic approaches remain essential to building societal resilience against security threats.

Famadewa also reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to developing a secure, resilient and technology-driven homeland security system capable of addressing both current and emerging threats.

He said achieving that objective would require sustained collaboration, intelligence sharing and coordinated action among relevant institutions.

Discussions at the meeting centred on four strategic priorities, including the implementation of a unified surveillance programme to improve situational awareness nationwide, strengthening identity management to curb anonymity exploited for criminal activities, enhancing border security through greater coordination and technology deployment, and establishing more effective early warning, crisis reporting and response mechanisms.