The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, have stressed the need for closer collaboration between Nigeria’s internal and external security agencies to guarantee public safety and national stability.
Tunji-Ojo made this known in Abuja while receiving the defence minister, noting that the meeting reflected President Bola Tinubu’s expectation of seamless cooperation across the country’s entire security architecture.
According to the interior minister, Nigeria’s security challenges can only be effectively addressed through unity of purpose rather than institutional rivalry. He said the visit underscored a shared understanding that collaboration, not competition, must define the relationship between security agencies.
“This visit shows that you are bringing your experience to bear and that internal and external security agencies must function as one by working together,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He explained that security is both internal and external, adding that when internal security agencies carry out their responsibilities effectively, the military would not be overstretched.
“We have no choice but to work together. Working in isolation or being territorial is not in the interest of the nation,” he stated.
Tunji-Ojo acknowledged that while Nigeria faces serious security concerns, the situation is often worsened by negative perceptions. He emphasized that effective border protection remains a critical pillar of national safety.
“A safe border is a safe nation. If you cannot protect your borders, you cannot guarantee the safety of a nation,” he said.
The interior minister also outlined his vision for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), stressing that the agency should operate as a specialised body in line with its mandate, rather than competing with the police or the military.
He added that internal security agencies are meant to complement the armed forces, noting that synergy, effective data management and robust information sharing are essential to achieving lasting security.
“We must block all lines of division. What matters to Nigerians is performance and safety, so communication gaps must be eliminated,” Tunji-Ojo said.
In his remarks, Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar commended the Ministry of Interior for its efforts in strengthening internal security, describing security as the foundation of national development.
“Without security, there can be no development,” he said.
Abubakar noted that no single agency has a monopoly on intelligence, stressing that cooperation and collaboration among security institutions are indispensable. He called for increased deployment of technology to enhance intelligence gathering and sharing across agencies.
The defence minister also highlighted the role of institutions such as the Nigerian Correctional Service in generating actionable intelligence that could support national security operations.
He proposed the establishment of a joint technical committee made up of internal and external security agencies to meet quarterly and deliberate on national security issues. He also advocated the creation of a comprehensive, shared security database.
According to him, stronger alliances among security agencies would significantly improve public safety, noting that many countries facing asymmetric security threats continue to progress due to effective coordination among their institutions.
Abubakar further warned that paramilitary agencies are increasingly on the frontline in the fight against criminal elements and must be properly equipped and prepared to prevent avoidable loss of lives while carrying out their duties.
Interior, Defence Ministers Call for Stronger Security Synergy to Protect Nigeria
