President Bola Tinubu recently held a closed-door meeting with security chiefs at the Presidential Villa in Abuja to discuss the rising cases of insecurity in various parts of the country. The meeting, which lasted for over two hours, was attended by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, service chiefs, and the Inspector-General of Police.
*Key Takeaways from the Meeting*
- *Comprehensive Overhaul of National Security*: President Tinubu has directed an immediate and comprehensive overhaul of national security strategies to end the escalating violence in states like Borno, Benue, Plateau, and Kwara.
- *New Directives*: The President has given new directives to security agencies, emphasizing the need to work with local governments and state authorities to tackle insecurity at the grassroots level.
- *Community Involvement*: Tinubu stressed the importance of involving communities in addressing security challenges, particularly those bordering on community problems.
- *State Governments' Role*: The President directed that security agencies work more closely with governors to find solutions to insecurity in their respective states.
*Background of the Meeting*
The meeting was prompted by the recent surge in violent attacks and killings in various parts of the country. Despite the deployment of security forces, many lives have been lost, and properties destroyed. In Benue State alone, at least 56 people were killed in twin assaults blamed on armed herders.
*Implications of the Meeting*
The outcome of the meeting signals a shift in approach to tackling insecurity, with a greater emphasis on community involvement and state governments' participation. This new strategy aims to restore peace and security across the country.
*What's Next?*
As the security agencies begin to implement the President's directives, Nigerians are eagerly awaiting tangible results. The success of this new approach will depend on effective collaboration between security agencies, state governments, and local communities ¹.
