Interior Minister seeks collaboration with military to enhance national security

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has called for closer collaboration between the military and paramilitary forces to bolster national security.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Babatunde Alao, stated that the minister made the call when the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, paid him a courtesy visit.

Tunji-Ojo stressed the need to bridge existing gaps between the military and services under the ministry to promote seamless intelligence sharing and resource allocation to effectively counter emerging threats.

The minister said the military should help in the training of immigration personnel stationed at border posts and those of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps responsible for safeguarding forested areas.

Tunji-Ojo suggested the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate coordination and operational assistance between agencies under the ministry and the Nigerian military.

“There are numerous responsibilities that I believe the nitty-gritty can be worked out in MoU between our agencies and the Nigerian military, encompassing equipment, training which entails know-how, and other operational assistance.

“I want it to be your legacy, my legacy, and above all, the legacy of President Bola Tinubu, that the military and NIS were able to synergize and protect the nation’s border.

“In such a way that any internal threat can be contained internally.”

In his remarks, the CDS commended Tunji-Ojo for his proactive initiatives that have contributed to the ministry’s progress since assuming duty as minister.

He reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to supporting the ministry in its mandate to enhance internal security.

Musa stressed the importance of unity between the Ministries of Defence and Interior in addressing contemporary security challenges.

“I want to assure you that the armed forces is fully with you. The Ministry of Defence, and the Interior Ministry are one and the same.

“Those days, the defence came in because we were fighting conventional warfares, mostly country to country but now, the fight is within.

“We are fighting unknown actors. People you don’t know about. That makes it very critical, and that’s why I want to assure you that we are going to collaborate with you,” the CDS said.