Tinubu orders decisive action on security
From President Bola Tinubu yesterday came a directive for the Armed Forces and other security agencies to end insecurity across the country “decisively and without delay.”
Tinubu, in his Easter message to Nigerians, said the tide was already turning against the brains behind the security challenge while “steady progress in reclaiming peace and stability” was being made “with the unwavering courage and commitment of our gallant men and women in uniform.”
The directive comes in the wake of the recent surge in incidents and loss of lives in parts of the country.
He sympathised with citizens affected by the violence and unrest, saying he understood the pain and fear such events have caused.
“My administration’s resolve to restore peace and security remains unshakable. Forces of evil will never prevail over our country”, Tinubu said.
Tinubu, who also addressed the current economic hardship, said government’s efforts to revive the economy were beginning to yield encouraging results.
“We are working tirelessly to restore investor confidence, stabilise key sectors and build an inclusive economy that serves the interests of all Nigerians,” he said.
He congratulated Christians in Nigeria and the rest of the world on the occasion of Easter, describing it as a time to reflect on the enduring values of sacrifice, redemption, love and hope, which he said are central to the Christian faith and resonate with his administration’s vision of “Renewed Hope.”
“As President of our blessed nation, I draw inspiration from this timeless message of hope and renewal. I remain steadfast in my commitment to delivering the promise of a Renewed Hope — a better, more just, and prosperous Nigeria for all,” he said.
The President also joined the global Christian community in celebrating the recovery of Pope Francis, offering prayers for the Pontiff’s continued strength and inspirational leadership.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain united and hopeful, stressing that the country would overcome its current challenges.
“Just as Christ triumphed over death, so too shall our country triumph over every challenge we face. Our unity and resilience are our greatest strengths,” he said.
President Tinubu wished all Nigerians a peaceful and joyful Easter, praying that the season brings renewed faith and national progress.
IGP gives men marching order
Following the President’s directive, Police Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun asked Police Commissioners across all State Commands and Formations, and their supervising Assistant Inspectors-General, to enhance visibility policing, extended vigilance and intelligence gathering.
He said it was imperative to ensure a safe and secure festive celebration for all citizens, as Christians across Nigeria and the world celebrate Easter.
Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi said in a statement yesterday that the IGP was not unmindful of “the critical importance of enhanced patrol and strategic deployment of personnel to places of worship, recreation centres, major highways, and other public spaces to deter criminal activities and provide swift responses to any security challenges that may arise.”
The IGP sought the cooperation of the general public in providing timely and credible information that could assist in preventing the breakdown of law and order during this period to the security agencies.
Citizens, he urged, should remain security conscious, act with moderation, and avoid reckless driving on highways during the festive period and beyond.
The Police Commands across the states pledged adequate security, public safety and peaceful celebration before, during and after the Easter period.
Spokesperson of the Lagos State Command Benjamin Hundeyin said Police Commissioner Olohundare Jimoh had ordered the immediate deployment of massive police personnel with logistics throughout the state to ensure adequate security, safety and peaceful Easter celebration.
He said: “CP deployed personnel to all strategic locations across the length and breadth of the state including the identified black spots and flash points to prevent crime and criminality.
“This is done to remove fear of crimes from the minds of all residents and visitors alike and ensure hitch-free Easter celebration this year and beyond.
“The command will also focus on all churches, venues of celebrations and other areas of recreation so as to guarantee safety and maximum protection of the Christian faithful and other religious people who will be joining the Christian community in the celebration.
“Particular security attention will be placed and focused on recreation centres and other public spaces where large gatherings are anticipated. These spaces are going to be properly policed.”
Hundeyin advised parents and guardians to prevail on their children and wards not to allow themselves to be used to cause any disturbance of the peace and tranquility currently being enjoyed throughout the state.
According to him, CP Jimoh and personnel of the command join all the Christian faithful in the celebration and fervently wish them sustainable peace, love and joy associated with the Holy ceremony and Happy Easter.
In Abia State, armed police personnel yesterday embarked on a show of force in Aba metropolis and its environs.
Besides, policemen mounted stop and search checkpoints along the Aba-Owerri Road.
Police sources said the show of force was a warning to those who might want to cause trouble in the state to desist.
They added that the police in conjunction with other sister security agencies would not fold their hands
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Maureen Chinaka confirmed in a statement that the Command has “activated a comprehensive Operation Order to provide robust security measures before, during, and after the Easter celebrations.
“Security personnel have been strategically deployed across Abia State to guarantee the safety of life and property.
“Regular and special patrols of major roads, worship centers, recreational spots, and other public areas are ongoing.
“These efforts, alongside other covert and overt operations are aimed to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free Easter celebration for all.”
The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Baba Azare, said in Uyo that the police command was committed to maintaining law and order during the festival.
Azare said that high visibility policing had been activated with strategic deployment of personnel to churches, event centres, parks, highways, recreational grounds, among others.
“Our personnel will embark on aggressive but professional foot and vehicular patrols across the state.
“All deployments are intelligence-driven, officers have been warned to remain civil and respectful while discharging their duties,” he said.
Kogi State Police Commissioner Miller Dantawaye directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Operational Commanders are to reassess their security strategies and intensify police visibility across major public spaces to guarantee the safety of residents during the festive period.
The commissioner emphasised the importance of collaboration with other security agencies and stressed that joint efforts were underway to maintain law and order throughout the period.
The Commissioner of Police (CP) in Jigawa, Mr Ahmadu Abdullahi yesterday held a strategic security meeting with service Commanders and chairmen of the 27 local governments in the state on the security situation in the state.
The police command spokesman, SP Lawan Shiisu, said the meeting provided a unified platform for all stakeholders to review current security challenges and chart a common path forward.
The spokesman quoted the CP as emphasising the need for a holistic and proactive approach to tackle crime and to maintain law and order across the state.
“All hands must be on deck. Security is a collective responsibility, and today’s meeting marks a significant step in fostering the synergy we need across security agencies, local governments, and community leaders,” the CP was quoted as saying.
Shiisu added that the council chairmen who attended the meeting unanimously agreed to provide necessary support for security initiatives directly or material assistance.
According to him, the chairmen reiterated their commitment to working closely with security agencies in their respective areas in order to ensure the effective implementation of agreed-upon strategies.
“The service commanders are those of the Nigerian Army (NA), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), and other agencies.
“This renewed cooperation demonstrates stakeholders’ firm commitment to creating a safer and more secure state through shared responsibility and mutual support,” Shiisu said.
Also, the Special Adviser on Security to the Governor, Mr Usman Muhammad emphasized the importance of timely intelligence sharing, resource support, and community vigilance in securing the state.
Spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command Aderoun Ejire-Adeyemi said Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Unit Heads had been directed to lay emphasis intelligence-led policing, credible intelligence gathering and crime-prevention measures while lapses in security coverage would attract command-level accountability.
Tinubu is greatest asset to North’s security, development —Matawalle
Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle yesterday said that contrary to claims by some critics, the federal government has achieved a lot in addressing the security challenge in the North.
Matawalle described President Tinubu as the north’s greatest asset in the security fight and development.
The minister spoke through his Senior Aide (Politics) Hon. Ibrahim Danmaliki Gidan Goga.
“Our people in the North are wise enough not to be misled by individuals who have failed to secure their political future,” the minister declared, adding that these critics “once held power but squandered it, and now resort to mischief to stay relevant.”
He said that Operation Fansan Yamma and other military initiatives have taken out “over 65 notorious bandit leaders “, hundreds of their foot soldiers been eliminated, and more than 200 camps destroyed since Tinubu took office.
He asked for the cooperation of the public in the fight against insecurity to ensure “lasting peace and development in the North.”
Matawalle blamed some political elite for spreading misinformation out of frustration over missed appointments.
He said: “When given the mandate in the past, they failed our people.
“Now they go around shedding crocodile tears to gain cheap popularity behind those they abandoned.”
On infrastructure, the minister lauded the revival of long-neglected projects including the multi‑billion‑naira Zaria–Gusau–Talata Mafara–Sokoto expressway and the re‑awarded Abuja–Kaduna–Kano highway, among others.
“These are major arteries the North has waited decades to see completed,” he noted.
Matawalle reaffirmed Tinubu’s commitment to “building a prosperous, united Nigeria,” pledging that the administration would continue to deliver security, cohesion, and growth through the remainder of its first term.