By Esther Ezeobi
In a bid to stem the tide of escalating violence in several states, President Bola Tinubu has directed a comprehensive overhaul of national security strategies, insisting that "enough is enough" and that this is the time for urgent action to end the bloodshed.
Following a marathon meeting with security chiefs at the State House in Abuja, the President condemned the senseless targeting of innocent Nigerians in Borno, Benue, and Plateau states, among others. Tinubu's directive comes after a detailed briefing by the service chiefs on the attacks, death toll, and destruction of properties in these states.
National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu revealed that the President had been actively monitoring the situation, even while abroad, and had given directives to tackle the insecurity challenges. Ribadu said Tinubu's new directives include working more closely with state governors, local governments, and communities to address the root causes of insecurity.
"Today, we had the opportunity to come and brief him again, and it lasted hours. It was a very detailed briefing, and it was exhaustive.
"We listened, and we took instructions from him. He gave us new directives. The fact is that Mr President is insisting that we work harder to restore security in the country.
"We gave him information on what has been happening and assured him of our commitment.
"We had carried out his instructions. We went to places with incidences of insecurity, such as Plateau, Benue, and Borno States.
"We went to those particular three states. We gave him feedback because he had directed us earlier to go and meet with the political authorities there.
"The issue of insecurity often is not just at the higher levels. It involves the subunits. They are the ones who are directly with the people, especially when some of the challenges border on community problems.
"We need to work with the communities. We need to work with the local governments, and we need to work with the governors.
"The President directed that we work more with governors," he added.
The NSA noted that the attackers often target innocent citizens by planting Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and exploiting ungoverned areas. Ribadu assured that the security agencies are committed to restoring peace and security in the affected areas.
Tinubu's decisive action comes amid growing concerns over the deteriorating security situation in several parts of the country. The President's directive is seen as a significant step towards addressing the security challenges and ensuring the safety of Nigerian citizens.
