The Minister of Interior, Hon. (Dr.) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has called for a synergy between the paramilitary and the military in terms of equipment, training and operational assistance to combat insecurity in Nigeria.
The Minister made the call while hosting the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. CG Musa who paid him a courtesy visit. He reiterated the need for cooperation for common good of the country. The Minister also sought for similar synergy with the Border Communities Development Agency, realising that communities at the borders are key to generating security intelligence. He added that leveraging on that would forestall occurrence of any security breach.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo expressed concern that if the country’s security architecture does not solve the problems of the country’s border, the Nigerian Armed Forces would continue to be overstretched. He said the Ministry of Interior would want to collaborate with the Military to make Nigeria Immigration Service the first form of defence at the border. The Minister would want the special force of NIS to be trained under the Military.
However, the Minister thanked the Military for the wonderful services rendered to Nigerians, even having to lay down their lives for the unity and peace of the nation. He assured the Chief of Defence Staff that the Ministry of Interior is ready for collaboration with the Military.
On his part the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. CG Musa said he was at the Ministry to brainstorm with the Minister because of his love for the peace of the country.
He said despite the successes made in the fight against terrorism, more people gain entrance to the country because of the porosity of the borders. The CDS said with the partnership with the Ministry of Interior, the ugly trend would be nipped in the bud.
Gen. Musa said the National Population Commission should work with Nigeria Immigration so that everybody in Nigeria can be accounted for.
Ozoya Imohimi
Director (Information & Public Relations)
