Information Minister Reveals Major Threat to Nigeria’s Security

The Minister of Information and National Guidance, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s government to tackle insecurity in the country through better investments in equipment, manpower and intelligence gathering.

Idris stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the first international conference organized by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the theme “Interrogating the Root Cause of Violence in the Sahel and its Impact on the Territorial Integrity of Nigeria,” where experts, policy makers and stakeholders to assess and propose solutions to the challenges posed by violence in the Sahel region.

He acknowledged that the Sahel region has become a vortex of instability, violence, terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking, arms smuggling and violent extremism, with a spillover effect into Nigeria due to the country’s porous borders with the region.

“Nigeria shares a long and porous border with several Sahelian countries embroiled in conflict, making us vulnerable to the spillover effects of the conflict. This not only threatens our security, but also challenges our ability to maintain effective control of our border.

“Several scholars and experts have previously attributed these challenges to socio-economic marginalization, weak governance structures, environmental degradation and climate change, transnational organized crime and illicit arms trafficking, but the spillover effect of these conflicts is taking its toll on our economy. internal security and the socio-economic well-being of our people,” he said.

The minister believed that these are the root causes of violence in the Sahel, including socio-economic marginalization, weak governance structures, environmental problems and organized crime.

Nevertheless, he said the federal government is committed to addressing these underlying issues both domestically and in collaboration with international partners.

“The violence in the Sahel is not an isolated incident and no country can tackle it alone. Therefore, Nigeria has increased its engagement with its neighbors and other regional and international partners, is strengthening joint military operations such as the Multinational Joint Task Force, and is also supporting initiatives aimed at stabilizing the Sahel region.

“On the home front, security has remained a top priority in President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, and through investments in equipment, manpower, acquisition of more combat platforms and intelligence gathering, we are winning the war against insecurity.

“Addressing these challenges would require collaboration among government agencies, international partners and security experts to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity and contribute to lasting peace and stability in the Sahel region,” Idris said.

He also urged experts gathered at the conference to dissect the root causes of armed conflict in the Sahel with a view to developing innovative solutions to address the challenges.

The first annual NAN lecture was attended by key national and international stakeholders, including former Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar as chairman of the occasion, and Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, as guest speaker.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, guest of honor at the event, was represented by National Security Advisor Malam Nuhu Ribadu.

Other dignitaries present included the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa; Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Umar Dikko Radda; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, and the Minister of Steel Development, Alhaji Shuaibu Abubakar.

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