President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a no-nonsense directive to Nigeria’s top security and intelligence officials, declaring a renewed war against insecurity across the country. In a meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the President expressed deep concern over the continuing wave of violence that has disrupted lives and livelihoods in several states, notably Plateau, Benue, Borno, and Kwara.
The high-level security session, convened in the wake of recent attacks that claimed dozens of lives, saw the President tasking the nation’s military, police, and intelligence agencies with immediate action. Tinubu, visibly moved and firm in tone, stated, “Enough is enough,” leaving no room for ambiguity about his expectations.
The President’s stern directive was conveyed to the media by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who noted that the President is demanding results, not excuses. “The President is not pleased with the recurring killings of innocent Nigerians. He has asked all security agencies to move from planning to action. He wants results and he wants them now,” Ribadu told journalists after the meeting.
Sources within the Presidency confirmed that the new directive includes a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s internal security architecture. The government is set to implement a multi-layered strategy that will emphasize rapid response, improved intelligence gathering, and closer collaboration between federal security agencies and state governments.
This comes at a critical time when public trust in the government’s ability to protect lives and property is waning. Armed attacks, kidnappings, and communal clashes have intensified in rural and semi-urban areas, pushing communities into fear and despair. President Tinubu acknowledged this sentiment and insisted that it was time the government matched its words with visible action.
Security analysts say the President’s renewed posture is a welcome shift from previous administrations’ rhetoric-heavy but often slow responses to national threats. The involvement of local authorities, community leaders, and traditional institutions is expected to feature prominently in the new plan, as the government moves to strengthen intelligence at the grassroots level.
Meanwhile, Tinubu also called for better deployment of surveillance technology and data analytics to anticipate and prevent attacks before they occur. He charged the Office of the National Security Adviser with ensuring that intelligence operations are proactive rather than reactive.
The President’s statement marks one of his most assertive interventions since taking office, reflecting a leader under pressure but determined to reclaim control of the nation’s security narrative. As he put it bluntly during the meeting: “Our people deserve to sleep with both eyes closed. That is the minimum responsibility of this government.”
With renewed energy and direction from the top, security agencies now have their marching orders. Whether this will translate into sustainable peace and stability across Nigeria remains to be seen. But one thing is clear—President Tinubu has drawn a line in the sand.
