Tinubu said his administration remained committed to security sector reforms, including plans to establish state and community policing to respond to emerging threats nationwide.
President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the ongoing recalibration of the country’s security architecture will soon deliver results strong enough to restore public confidence.
The President gave the assurance on Friday while meeting with a delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, at his Lagos residence.
The meeting was disclosed in a statement issued by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.
Tinubu said his administration remained committed to security sector reforms, including plans to establish state and community policing to respond to emerging threats nationwide.
“The mood of the nation is peaceful, although our ungoverned spaces are so large. The challenge is real, but we will surmount it,” the President said.
He urged religious leaders to back government efforts through cooperation, vigilance and prayers, stressing that some security initiatives required time before yielding visible outcomes.
“We are very religious. We are prayer warriors. We need your focus, vigilance and cooperation,” Tinubu added.
The President said state and community policing would become operational once the National Assembly completed the necessary legislative processes.
He explained that delays in acquiring military hardware had influenced public perception of the government’s security drive, noting that such equipment was expensive and not easily available.
Tinubu disclosed that Nigeria had ordered four attack helicopters from the United States and was also engaging Turkey for further support.
According to him, the government remained resolute despite the guerrilla tactics employed by bandits and insurgents, insisting that restoring peace across the country remained a top priority.
On the recent abduction and release of schoolchildren in Niger and Kebbi states, the President urged continued vigilance.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters reported that terrorists suspected to be bandits on Friday evening invaded Adanla community in Igbaja Ward 2, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, abducting seven residents and injuring several others, just a day after Christmas.
A source told SaharaReporters that the attack occurred on Friday at about 7pm, throwing the usually peaceful community into panic, grief and mourning.
According to the source, the armed men stormed the community in large numbers, firing sporadically as they forcefully entered homes and carted away victims.