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Tag: Defence Minister

  • Nigeria winning war against insecurity – Defence minister

    Nigeria winning war against insecurity – Defence minister

    The Minister of Defence, Mr Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, says recent military gains signal Nigeria is turning the tide against insecurity.

    “For the first time in years, Nigerians can travel the Birnin Gwari to Kaduna road even at midnight. That’s progress. Zaria to Funtua to Gusau is now peaceful, and Abuja-Kaduna road has been largely secured,” Badaru said.

    The Minister said this in an interview for an upcoming State House documentary marking President Tinubu’s second anniversary.

    Badaru said President Bola Tinubu had given a clear order: “End insecurity decisively and do it fast before the end of 2025.”

    He pointed to Operation Fasan Yama and other ongoing military efforts in different theatres nationwide as the driving force behind improved security across several regions.

    Badaru stated that impressive results so far recorded by the security agencies were: 13,543 terrorists and bandits neutralised, 17,500 arrested, 9,821 hostages rescued, and 24,000 terrorists surrendered.

    “These are not just numbers. These are lives saved, villages reclaimed, and communities restored,” he stressed.

    He noted a return to normalcy in many parts of the Northeast and Northwest: “Markets are back. Farms are productive again. We’ve seen Fulani, Hausa, and other communities rebuilding trust. The progress is real and visible.”

    Badaru also highlighted President Tinubu’s approval of ₦18 billion to clear insurance arrears for military personnel and boost troop welfare.

    “We’ve doubled troop ration allowances from ₦1,500 to ₦3,000. Life insurance now covers all soldiers, and I’ve personally visited frontline bases to hear their concerns and boost morale,” he added.

    Regarding military modernisation, the minister said, “President Tinubu has not turned down a single request for equipment. We now have attack helicopters, UAVs, MRAPs, APCs, and top-tier weaponry. Our armed forces are better equipped than ever.”

    He described the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Bill as a game-changer.

    “We’ve signed over 100 local and international defence partnerships. We’re producing ammunition here. Two MRAPs assembled locally are parked outside this office. This is the beginning of true defence independence,” continued Badaru.

    The minister reported a drop in pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the South-South, with crude oil production rising from 1.4 million to nearly 1.8 million barrels daily. “We’ve arrested six ships, destroyed 2,000 illegal refineries, and dismantled over 5,000 crude oil storage pits,” he disclosed.

    Looking forward, Badaru affirmed: “This President is not making empty promises. He’s building the institutions, the morale, the partnerships, and the firepower to secure Nigeria. We are not relenting. The goal is total victory over insecurity by the end of 2025, and we are on track.”

    He called on Nigerians to remain hopeful and united: “Change doesn’t happen overnight, but we’re laying a solid foundation. Neutral observers will tell you that we’ve made real progress. The President’s commitment is unwavering.”

  • Turji is on the run, many terrorist commanders killed – Defence Minister

    Turji is on the run, many terrorist commanders killed – Defence Minister

    The Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, has said that the notorious terrorist leader, Bello Turji has been on the run as a result of sustained offensives by the troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in recent time.

    Badaru stated this during a Ministerial Briefing on the activities of the ministry on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He said that troops also killed several key terrorist leaders such as Maza Barume Madaro; Kachalla Alhaji Dati; Bani Wala Burki; Kachalla Dogo Kwaden; Chairman Hanazuma; Kachalla Bandiyo; and Maiyara Madaci.

    Others killed include Alhaji Karki; Kachalla Makore; Zakiru and Okachalla Azarailu.

    According to him, troops are neutralising these bandits by the day, and the leaders are going down by day. And they are on the run.

    “Recently, there has been a renewed impetus to all our operations across the country, translating into commendable achievement, specifically in the Northeast.

    “Inspote of the  recent short-lived desperation of the terrorists, troops have responded excessively and turned a devastating blow across the theatres,’’ he said.

    Badaru assured Nigerians of the commitment of the military to address all the prevailing security challenges, adding that they were doubling their intelligence to nip them in the bud.

    He said that Nigeria’s security challenges were deeply rooted in decades-long social and political fractures, economic dislocation, transnational borders influence, and global terrorism metrics that continue to mutate beyond classical military doctrines.

    “Accordingly, addressing those threats requires a multifaceted approach, combining military efforts with social and economic development, regional cooperation and remorse governance, to ensure lasting peace and stability.

    “President Bola Tinubu’s firm directive, that ‘Enough is Enough’, signals enforcement of political will, which also charges us to double our effort in collaboration of all stakeholders towards overcoming the security challenges in this nation.

    “Thus, under the leadership and direction of the President, the Ministry of Defence has coordinated joint efforts through intelligence sharing, coordinated various kinetic and non-kinetic efforts to defeat the insurgents,’’ he said.

  • Defence minister promises to end killings in Plateau

    Defence minister promises to end killings in Plateau

    Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, Minister of Defence, on Saturday visited communities that were recently attacked by gunmen in Bassa Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau.

    Recall that on April 2, gunmen attacked Hurti, Josho, Daffo, and other communities in Manguna District of the locality.

    Similarly, gunmen on Sunday attacked Zike and Kimakpa communities of Kwall District, Irigwe Chiefdom of Bassa.

    In both incidents, the attackers killed scores and destroyed many houses and other properties.

    Speaking, the minister, who commiserated with the families of those who lost their loved ones, expressed government’s commitment to safety  of lives and property.

    “We are here on behalf of the Federal Government to identify and share in your grief.

    “We want to assure you that security agencies will bring these senseless killings to an end.

    “I have been adequately briefed and I want to assure you that we will get to the root of this matter. We will capture the perpetrators of this evil act.

    “The president is deeply concerned and have ordered us to find the perpetrators so they can face justice.

    “We are working with the state government to adopt the structure that will prevent this ugly incident from happening again; it is time to end this madness,”he said

    Badaru further said that government would engage all stakeholders in the affected communities towards curbing the cycle of killings in the state.

    Earlier, Retired Rev. Ranka Aku, Brra Ngwe of Irigwe chiefdom, who thanked the minister for the visit, also commended the federal and state governments for prompt response to the incidents.

    Aku, who decried incessant attacks and destruction of properties in the chiefdom, called on government and security agencies to intensity efforts to end the violence.

    He promised to collaborate with the government towards bringing lasting peace to the chiefdom and Plateau in general.

    The traditional ruler called on the government to provide support to the victims in order to rebuild their destroyed buildings.

    NAN reports that Baderu was accompanied on the visit by Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, senior military personnel and other government officials

  • Defence Minister requests 50 additional APCs to flush out bandits in two months

    Defence Minister requests 50 additional APCs to flush out bandits in two months

    The Minister of Defence, Mr Mohammed Abubakar has requested the House of Representatives to provide additional 50 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) in the 2025 budget to flush out bandits in the country.

    Abubakar made the request on Tuesday at the 2025 budget defence session organised by the House Committee on Defence in Abuja.

    He said that with the equipment, the fight against banditry in the country would be over in two months.

    “The Ministry of Defence is supposed to provide some equipment for some of the zones, but we cannot.

    “Out of what we had in 2024, we were only able to provide just 20 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) but what can 20 APCs do.

    “If we are able to have 50 APCs that can go into the bush to flush out those criminals. I assure you, within two months, we will finish the issue of banditry but there is no provision for that in the 2025 budget.

    “I believe this House will consider more funding to the Ministry of Defense, so that we can be able to provide some equipment to some fresh areas of attacks,” he said.

    The minister said that there was need to review the budget of the ministry to also provide for the welfare of officers and men of the military.

    He said that N20 billion is required to address the backlog of the Group Life Insurance for military personnel.

    Abubakar said that the ministry has not been able to pay some entitlement for military personnel in theaters of operations, urging the House to squeeze and add more funding to the ministry.

    In his remarks, the Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Benson Babajimi (APC-Lagos), said that the request would be considered by the committee.

    Babajimi reaffirmed the commitment of the 10th House of Representatives to supporting the Armed Forces in their noble mission.

    He said that the House remains steadfast in its resolve to ensure a peaceful, secure and prosperous Nigeria.

    According to him, the budget defense is, therefore, not just a legislative exercise but a reaffirmation of our collective responsibility to the Nigerian people.

    Babajimi said that over the years, the Armed Forces of Nigeria had demonstrated remarkable commitment and professionalism.

    According to him, they achieved significant progress in countering insurgency, terrorism, banditry and other forms of insecurity.

    “National Assembly has consistently prioritised the defense sector in the national budget, with increased allocations in recent years.

    “However, with these enhanced resources comes a heightened expectation for prudent, transparent and impactful utilization.

    “As representatives of the people, it is our duty to ensure that every naira is judiciously spent to strengthen the operational capacity of the Armed Forces and deliver tangible results.

    “This year’s budget defense is particularly significant as it comes against the backdrop of evolving global and domestic security threats. These recent developments highlight the need for heightened vigilance and inter-agency collaboration.

    “We must leverage intelligence, technology, and best practices to neutralize emerging threats and safeguard our citizens,” he said.

    The chairman urged all defense agencies to prioritise strategic initiatives that align with national security objectives.

    NAN

  • Nigeria needs your expertise, wealth of experience – Defence minister to retired officers

    Nigeria needs your expertise, wealth of experience – Defence minister to retired officers

    The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, says Nigeria still needs the expertise and wealth of experience of the retired military officers in confronting the security challenges of the nation.
    Matawalle said this at a dinner in honour of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, organised by members of Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) 38 Regular Course Welfare Association on Saturday in Abuja.
    He said the experience garnered over the years as military officers would remain relevant even as they embarked on another phase of life.
    He added that the nation needed them as professionals and experts to bring to bear their expertise and experience in proffering solution to the myriads of challenges bedeviling the country.
    According to him, it is expected that they now have special time to recollect and bring forward ideas to address the problems without any hindrance.
    “I encourage you to, from time to time, critically brainstorm on the challenges confronting the country with a view to providing workable solution.
    “I want to assure you that the Ministry of Defence is ever ready to receive you as group of expert thinkers to dialogue on issues of defence and security concerns in our country.
    “In view of the immense training and experience of these eminent gentlemen and highly exposed security professionals, we will ensure that your time in retirement is pleasant and we will continue to take your welfare as priority at the Ministry of Defence,” he said.
    The minister said the efforts to move the nation forward was a collective responsibility of all, adding that God had already blessed Nigeria with enormous talented military officers.
    He commended the association for honouring their member who was appointed as defence chief and their continuous efforts towards the welfare of the members and the society at large.
    The CDS, Gen. Musa, thanked the association for celebrating, honouring him and their unwavering support and commitment to seeing him succeed as defence chief.
    Musa said the event also signified the acknowledgement of the collective achievements and sacrifice of the nation’s armed forces through the unwavering dedication of the brave men and women in uniform that had been able to safeguard Nigeria’s peace and unity.
    According to him, their selfless courage and professionalism are the pillars upon which our defence forces stand today.
    He said the collaboration with mation’s allies had become vital in addressing the complex challenges that it currently faced.
    The CDS said their training, intelligence sharing and military cooperation had played a key role in enhancing the capabilities of the Nigerian military and strengthening the national defence.
    “Our nation has encountered various threats to security and stability, but through unity and perseverance, we have prevailed.
    “The commitment and dedication of our armed forces, coupled with support of Nigerian people, have been instrumental in ensuring that our nation remains strong and secure.
    “I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the Nigerian people for their unwavering support and trust in our armed forces.
    “Your belief in our capabilities and your recognition of the services made by our men and women in uniform are a constant source of inspiration,” he said.
    The CDS said the effort of the 38RC Welfare Association had remained committed to the welfare and well-being of the society, adding that such initiatives had remained vital in fostering a strong bond between the military and civilian communities.
    He said the association had, through their generosity and compassion, touched the lives of many service members and their families.
    The President, RC38 Welfare Association, Maj. -Gen. Solomon Uduonwa, said the event was organised to celebrate their journey in the military, which began on Sept. 21, 1986.
    According to him, that journey has seen erstwhile cadets transform into accomplished generals, captains of industry, top politicians and prominent traditional rulers.
    He described the CDS as an accomplished general who had held all available command, instruction and staff appointments and had continued to make the nation proud as a military chief.
    “As part of our 37th anniversary, we are gathered tonight to honor one of our most accomplished generals from 38 regular course, our own chief of defence staff, who was appointed on June 19, to save our country’s Armed Forces as the CDS.
    “General Musa is someone we have come to share very strong bonds of friendship over the last 37 years.
    “In our course, we recognised and acknowledged him as a forerunner and the first among equals in the Nigerian Defence Academy.
    “He dazzled a lot of us with his sportsman capabilities. He was a very prolific striker in football. He was also a basketball player. He played volleyball and somebody said he also played hockey.
    “It is therefore no surprise that he was chosen by the President, Commander in Chief, to lead our armed forces at this very challenging time.
    “We are here to celebrate a distinguished gentleman, somebody who has accomplished everything that there is in the military but still has a lot to offer Nigeria and our armed forces,” he said.
    Uduonwa said that 38RC had lost 34 of their members who started the journey with them 37 years ago, the last lost one being the former Director of Defence Media Operations, late Bernard Onyeuko, a retired Major General who passed on in August.
    Reports that the CDS and his wife, Mrs Oghogho Musa, were conferred with the Patron and Patroness of the association.

  • Defence Minister’s office shouldn’t be political – Sani knocks Tinubu

    Defence Minister’s office shouldn’t be political – Sani knocks Tinubu

    A former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani has knocked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Mohammed Badaru as the Minister of Defence.

    Sani said the president shouldn’t have appointed a politician as the Defence Minister when the country is facing security challenges

    He noted that the ministry should have been given to a retired military officer with records of accomplishments.

    Tweeting, Sani wrote: “In view of the security challenges faced by this country, I thought the Defence Minister should be a retired Military officer with experience and records of accomplishments.

    “That office shouldn’t be just political, especially at this time.”

  • Indian Defence minister leads delegation to Tinibu’s inauguration

    Indian Defence minister leads delegation to Tinibu’s inauguration

    The Defence Minister of India, Mr Rajinath Singh, will lead India’s delegation to the inauguration of the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinibu on Monday in Abuja.

    India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi had detailed Singh as a special envoy to Nigeria for the ceremony in a letter.

    The minister is expected to arrive in Abuja on Sunday, ahead of the inauguration.

    “The visit of Mr Rajnath Singh reflects the growing bilateral relations between India and Nigeria and signifies India’s commitment to strengthening ties with Nigeria.

    “Mr Singh is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of External Affairs of India.

    “Mr Singh is a senior Minister in the Government of India, sending such a senior minister to Nigeria as a special envoy of the Prime Minister of India reflects India’s commitment to the deep-rooted bilateral relations with Nigeria,” the letter read in parts.

    The minister’s visit would also be an avenue to invite Nigeria’s president-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu for the G20 meeting in India in September.

    ”It is significant that given its special relations with Nigeria, the Government of India has invited Nigeria as a guest country to participate in all the G20 meetings during her G20 Presidency in 2023.

    “Minister Singh is expected to have a special message to the President-elect of Nigeria regarding the G20. The G20 summit, 2023 will be held in New Delhi on 9-10 Sept. 2023 with the Heads of State of the member countries and Invited guest Countries.

    “As India continues to enhance its engagements in Africa, the visit of Defence Minister Singh to Abuja marks a significant step in deepening the bilateral relationship between India and Nigeria, setting the stage for a new chapter of cooperation and partnership between the two nations,, the letter concludes.

  • Defence minister, Magashi seeks new border template

    Defence minister, Magashi seeks new border template

    The Minister of Defence, retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi has called for a new border template to minimise cross-border crimes.

    This is contained in a statement in Abuja, on Tuesday by Mohammad Abdulkadri, Special Assistant to the Minister on Media and Publicity

    Magashi made the call during a meeting with a delegation of experts from the United Nations Independent High Level Panel on Security, Governance, and Development in the Sahel.

    The minister noted that Nigeria was doing pretty well under the watch of the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari in curtailing terrorists, especially in the North Eastern part of the country.

    He also noted that Nigeria was contributing more than other cooperating states in counterpart funding, deployment of manpower and provision of other logistics in Multinational Joint Task Force, MNJTF.

    He however made a case for improved resources on the part of the United Nations towards the promotion of global peace and regional economic prosperity to reduce the high level of poverty at all levels.

    The Head of the UN Mission and Leader of the four-man delegation Mr. Abdullahi Boureima alongside Nigerian panelist Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim said the panel’s mandate includes security, governance, and development concerns facing the Sahel Region.

    They explained that part of the reasons for the meeting in all countries of their assignments including Nigeria was to articulate and aggregate views on how to effectively surmount the existential challenges facing the Sahel Region.

    While thanking the minister for approving the visit, they said capturing Nigeria’s perspective on the way forward was germane to their assignments which set the tone for the meeting.

    The meeting had the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence Dr Ibrahim Kana, in attendance as well as other top management, and the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Danlami Ibrahim.

  • Defence minister lauds military’s gallantry as 3,407 terrorists lay down arms

    Defence minister lauds military’s gallantry as 3,407 terrorists lay down arms

    The Minister of Defence, retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi, has lauded the gallant performance of the military in the onslaught against criminal elements in the six geo-political zones of the country.

    This is contained in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja by Mr Mohammad Abdulkadri, Special Assistant to the Minister of Defence on Media and Publicity.

    Abdulkadir said that Magashi spoke at the Joint World Press Conference held at the Radio House Abuja on Monday.

    He also said that the press conference was done together with the minister’s counterparts in the Ministries of Police Affairs, Interior and Information and Culture.

    Magashi said that the troops of Operation Hardin Kai in the North East had gallantly denied ISWAP and the Boko Haram Terrorists freedom of co-ordinated attacks as they continued to suffer huge casualties, depletion and depression.

    The minister, whose briefing covered Military Operations across the six geo-political zones, said that the criminal elements had been substantially degraded and defeated in the last four weeks.

    He said this was in compliance with the directive of the Commander-in- Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Abdulkadir said that within the period under review, 66 suspected terrorists were neutralised, alongside the ISWAP commander, Madu Chaka and 20 others.

    He added that 55 others were arrested, while 52 civilians regained their freedom from captivity.

    Magashi further said that the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji in Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Zamfara in the North West zone had also given a good account of themselves by clearing the doubts of the bandits and kidnappers.

    He assured Buhari and Nigerians of the total commitment of the military to the defence of the nation’s territorial integrity alongside other security forces.

    The minister was quoted as outlining similar operational successes recorded in the North Central, South East, South South and South West.

    He thanked the C-in-C for the strong backings that the Armed Forces of Nigeria continued to enjoy even in the current participation in the Peace Support Operation in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.

    On his part, the Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi said the Police Force had been repositioned and re-equipped.

    Dingyadi added that the force was resolute to effectively change the narratives in all the states of the federation towards keeping the country safe and secured.

    Dingiyadi buttressed the successes recorded in various parts of the country including Borno state with 248 weapons recovered.

    Also, 181 suspects were arrested in Delta, and 40 suspects arrested in Niger, among several others in the last four weeks.

    Similarly, the Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola warned criminal elements to keep off the Correctional Centers across the country or they would not live to tell the story of any dastard acts.

    He advised Nigerians not to obstruct the operations of the Federal Fire Service in responding to the outbreak of fire emergencies.

    While acknowledging the support by the military and sister agencies in a joint operational environment the interior minister assured, ”never again would jail break be repeated.”

    He added that arsonists, vandals and other criminals would pay with their lives.

    Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed said that while the country may not be there yet, the military had succeeded and still succeeded in crushing the criminal elements.

    This, he said, was in accordance with the directive of Buhari to the Security Forces.

    The minister said what could have overwhelmed and consumed other nations of the world was what Nigeria was going through in terms of huge security challenges.

    Mohammed said, ”yet, the country remains standing and resolute to end terrorism, banditry and other forms of crimes.”

    He appealed to Nigerians to see security as the business of everyone and thanked the media for carrying out their watchdog roles in nation building and national defence.

    According to Abdulkadri, the conference was attended by the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Defence, Dr Abubakar Kana, and that of the Ministry of Interior, Dr Shuaib Belgore.

    Others, he said, were the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Leo Irabor, the Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Isah Jere, his Federal Fire Service counterpart, Mr Abdulganiyu Jaji, as well as top Chief Executives of Agencies, Parastatals and Media.

  • Nigeria under fresh threats – Defence Minister raises alarm

    Nigeria under fresh threats – Defence Minister raises alarm

    The Minister of Defence, Gen. Salihi Magashi (rtd) on Monday lamented that food insecurity has become a “new dimension of threat” to the nation’s stability.

    Magashi also expressed concern over the rise in secession agitations in the Southeast and Southwest, insurgency in the Northeast, banditry and armed herders/militia in the Northwest and Northcentral as well as militancy and oil bunkering in the Southsouth.

    He however, assured that the Federal Government was determined to stem the threats as it has already recruited 17,000 personnel for the Armed Forces and is about to hire 10,000 policemen and officers annually over the next six years.

    The minister added that “the government is also exploring dialogue and mediation techniques in tackling other emerging threats such as the agitations by some ethnic nationalities and groups.”

    Magashi spoke at the Defence Advisers/Attachés annual conference organised by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Abuja.

    His words: ”Food security has been adversely affected with the attendant rise in the prices of foodstuff across the country which portends a new dimension of threat.

    ”A look at the security challenges in Nigeria today reveals new dimensions with increasing agitations for secession. In the Northeast, attacks by Boko Haram Terrorists and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) continue to pose serious security threats in Nigeria.

    ”In the Northwest and Northcentral, the activities of armed bandits, armed herders/militia attacks, and kidnappers are prevalent.

    The littoral states in the Southsouth are plagued with illegal oil bunkering, piracy, and militancy while the Southeast is challenged with secessionist activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    ”The Southwest is equally faced with secessionist inclination driven by ethnic agitators as well as occasional tension between herders and farmers.

    ”Distinguishing the threats Nigeria is currently facing and understanding their socio-geographic context is pivotal for adapting appropriate and lasting counter-measures.

    ”Regrettably, the prevalence of these threats has continued to endanger not only national security and economic growth but food security as well.”

    The minister, therefore, challenged security agencies to “explore all avenues within their respective systems to come up with innovative ways of identifying and confronting the challenges facing us as a nation”.

    He also enjoined the security agencies “to continue to collaborate to tackle these threats in order to create an enabling atmosphere for economic activities to thrive and to attract Foreign Direct Investment”.

    Magashi expressed joy that the government’s war against insurgency was yielding results in “the Northeast where14,000 terrorists had surrendered.”

    The minister added that the launch of the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, otherwise known as the Deep Blue Project, are also “visible efforts in confronting the myriad of security challenges that we have.”

    He said: “The recent achievements of the military and security agencies by taking the fight from all angles to the doorsteps of the adversaries is reassuring. Already, in the Northeast alone, over 14,000 Boko Haram terrorists have surrendered to support the country’s surge approach to fighting banditry, the Nigerian Armed Forces have recruited over 17,000 personnel.

    “Furthermore, Mr. President(Muhammadu Buhari) has also approved the recruitment of 10,000 police officers annually by the Nigeria Police Force over the next six years. All these efforts underscore the government’s_ political will to confront Nigeria’s numerous challenges.

    “The government is also exploring dialogue and mediation techniques in tackling other emerging threats such as the agitations by some ethnic nationalities and groups. This is also in tandem with the policy of this administration to entrench all-inclusiveness and good governance as part of democratic ideals.”

    Magashi described the conference as a vital mechanism through which the Defence Intelligence Agency evaluates, formulates, and reviews strategic policies.

    He stressed that the defence diplomats have ”crucial roles to play in this regard by forging understanding and cooperation with the security and defence architectures in their respective countries of accreditation.”

    National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd), in his keynote address, observed that Defence Attachés are “valuable envoys”.

    Monguno, represented by Maj. Gen. Abubakar Ndalolo, said, “ that Nigeria has been adopting both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in dealing with these security challenges.”