President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has requested that the country’s security and intelligence agencies share information and intelligence, arguing that stockpiling such resources can be counterproductive in the fight against terrorism.
Monday, Tinubu spoke in Abuja following a tour of the new Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) facilities.
The president stated, “There cannot be discord in an orchestra. We must concentrate on a single tunnel; we must coordinate, share information and intelligence, and labour harder.
“You cannot accumulate knowledge. One cannot accumulate intelligence. I am happy to see Nigeria on the path to success. I guarantee we will. We will prioritise it, which is why I am here this morning.”
Tinubu noted the efforts made to combat terrorism and the state-of-the-art facilities at the two facilities but emphasised the need for knowledge to support such efforts.
In order to accomplish economic revitalization, prosperity, and growth, he stated that his administration had recognised that security must take precedence.
He said, “It is a tremendous pleasure to see that we are receiving proactive preparation resources. Terrorism is not unique to Nigeria alone. It is widespread, and we must combat it. We must eradicate it entirely. If we, as Nigerians, desire economic revitalization, prosperity, and growth, we must prioritise security.
“What I have witnessed here is a demonstration of counterterrorism intelligence endeavours. This must be supported by evidence. Counterterrorism that is not supported by knowledge and intelligence will be of no use to any nation. We will collaborate on this endeavour.
The efforts of the entire armed forces of this country must be coordinated so as to have a singular focus on national security.
Tinubu characterised the tour of facilities at the new ONSA building as crucial and expressed his willingness to do whatever was required to support the nation’s security architecture.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Major-General Babagana Monguno (ret.), commended the president for making the visit his first engagement outside the White House.
“It reaffirms his commitment, dedication, and inflexible rigidity to ensuring that the security misfortunes of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and, by extension, the sub-regions are resolved as quickly as possible,” he said.
Monguno vowed ONSA’s complete commitment and dedication to ensuring that Tinubu fulfilled his security promises to the Nigerian people.
