Federal Government Urges Security Agencies to End Silos and Work as Unified Team, Says Defence Minister

The Federal Government has called for a stronger collaboration and coordination among security and intelligence agencies to effectively combat the nation’s evolving security challenges.

In a statement by the Principal Superintendent of Press at the Ministry of Defence, Ituke Patience N, the Honourable Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), addressed the press during a high-level meeting with intelligence and security stakeholders at the Ministry of Defence. Ituke Patience N noted that the Minister emphasized the urgent need for a unified and integrated approach to intelligence gathering and operations, particularly in the face of asymmetric warfare.

Gen. Musa commended the dedication and resilience of security personnel, noting that despite numerous challenges, they continue to serve with commitment and courage, often without adequate recognition because of the asymmetric nature of the security challenges. He described the current security situation as a collective national concern, noting that Nigeria’s response must equally be collective. He noted that while security agencies have made significant progress, efforts have often been fragmented, limiting the overall effectiveness.

In his words, “We have been operating in silo for too long. It is time to come together, harness our collective intelligence, and work as a unified team to support our troops and safeguard the nation.”

He reiterated the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for an enhanced “joint action” across all security institutions, emphasizing that every agency and parastatal has a critical role to play in ensuring national security. For him, there is need to effectively integrate both human and technical intelligence for actionable outcomes that will enable rapid response by troops in the field. Gen. Musa also highlighted the importance of public participation, urging Nigerians to actively support security efforts by providing timely and credible information to relevant authorities.

“Asymmetric warfare requires intelligence-driven operations,” adding that “the enemy is often hidden, making it imperative for us to strengthen our intelligence architecture and remain vigilant at all times.”

The meeting, described as a first-of-its-kind at the Ministry of Defence, is expected to mark the beginning of a more coordinated intelligence framework, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and strengthening national security. Ituke Patience N further confirmed that the Minister had called on all agencies to let them work as a team.