By Muhammad Mamman
Nigeria’s ministers of interior and defence have pledged to strengthen coordination between the military and paramilitary agencies as the country grapples with persistent security challenges across several regions.
The commitment was made during a high-level meeting focused on improving operational synergy between the armed forces and internal security agencies, including the police, civil defence and other paramilitary bodies.
Officials said closer collaboration is critical to addressing threats ranging from insurgency and banditry to kidnapping and communal violence, which have continued to strain security forces and disrupt daily life in parts of the country.
The Minister of Defence stressed that modern security threats require joint planning, intelligence sharing and coordinated field operations, rather than isolated responses by individual agencies. He noted that the military alone cannot tackle internal security challenges without effective support from paramilitary institutions.
Similarly, the Minister of Interior said his ministry is committed to aligning strategies, training and deployment with the armed forces to ensure a more coherent national response. He added that improved communication and clearer operational roles would help reduce duplication and enhance efficiency.
Security analysts say the renewed push for inter-agency cooperation reflects growing concern within the government over the evolving nature of insecurity and public frustration with its impact on communities and the economy.
Nigeria has for years relied on joint task forces in several hotspots, but critics argue that weak coordination and overlapping mandates have often undermined effectiveness.
The ministers said further engagements and structural reforms are expected in the coming months to translate the pledge into concrete action on the ground.
