Defence Ministries, Interior Forge Ties to Enhance Internal Security

Defence Ministries, Interior Forge Ties to Enhance Internal Security

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Tuesday said it would collaborate with that of Interior to fight internal security in the country.

The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru, said this when he received the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubumi Tunji-Ojo, on a courtesy visit in Abuja.

This is contained in a statement by Mr Henshaw Ogubike,Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry.

Badaru said that the ministry had recorded successes in the fight against insecurity and was ready to work with its Interior counterpart to rid the country of its security challenges.

“The ministry is ever ready to work with your ministry in solving the security challenges bedeviling our country.

“We will succeed if we work with you and you will succeed if you work with us,” he said.

The minister, therefore, directed that a technical committee be set up between the two ministries to forge ahead on areas of collaboration in tackling the security challenges in the country.

Earlier, Tunji-Ojo said that there was a need for the ministry of Interior to synergise with Defence to combat internal security in Nigeria.

He said that the reality on the ground was not the same as at 15 years ago.

“To curb the current security situation on the ground now, we have to come together like never before and device means of tackling insecurity in Nigeria,” he said.

Tunji-Ojo also explained that securing the nation’s land, sea and air boarders would enhance the country’s security, adding that a country with a safe boarder was a safe nation.

“If you cannot secure your boarders, you cannot secure your nation.

“My plea is for the Ministry of Defence to know that the Agencies in the Ministry of Interior are very key to internal security. We need to work together,” Tunji-Ojo said.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Kana, has said that the eight point agenda of President Bola Tinubu calls for synergy among the ministers and ministries to deliver on the mandates of this administration.

He added that the two mnistries could work together harmoniously to the benefit of Nigerians.