By Mathew Denis
…Reads riot act to security heads over killings in Benue, Plateau, Borno
President Bola Tinubu has called for a comprehensive overhaul of national security strategies in response to the increasing violence in several states, including Borno, Benue, Plateau, and Kwara. He has urged immediate action to tackle the situation.
The directive was made on Wednesday following a meeting with security chiefs at the State House in Abuja. The meeting lasted over two hours and saw the President briefed on the ongoing attacks, rising death tolls, and the widespread destruction of property in the affected states.
A statement issued after the meeting, signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), revealed that the President ordered a shift in the approach to tackling insecurity.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, confirmed that Tinubu is determined to address the crisis head-on, stressing that the government must act quickly to restore peace.
Ribadu highlighted that President Tinubu had been closely monitoring the situation even during his recent visits to Paris and London, continuously issuing instructions to address the issue.
“The President has directed that we work more closely with state governments and local councils,” Ribadu explained.
“Insecurity is not solely a top-down issue. It often stems from community-level problems, and we need to engage directly with these communities to address them.”
Ribadu also explained that the President’s concern over the rising violence was palpable.
“The President expressed his frustration and declared: ‘Enough is enough.’ He has made it clear that security agencies must work more closely with governors and local government authorities to restore peace in the country,” Ribadu said.
The President’s order to security forces includes tracking down the perpetrators of the killings in Benue, Borno, and Plateau states. Ribadu also confirmed that security agencies had been in close contact with the authorities in these states, in line with previous instructions given by the President.
“The President was very concerned and worried,” Ribadu added.
“We briefed him extensively on the situation, and he reiterated his call for more concerted efforts to ensure peace. He has emphasised the need for greater collaboration between security agencies and the local authorities.”
Ribadu further noted that the President is deeply aware of the challenges posed by insurgents who target innocent civilians using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and attack ungoverned areas. However, he reassured the public that security forces are actively working to restore stability.
The President’s latest directive marks a renewed commitment to tackling the nation’s security challenges, with an emphasis on local-level collaboration, improved communication, and a more agile response to emerging threats.
