Nigerian Security Agencies Working Around the Clock to Ensure Safety of Citizens, Information Minister tells BBC
By Shalom Oludele
The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that its security agencies are working around the clock to ensure the safety of citizens, whilst taking deliberate and sustained steps to strengthen security across the country, with a clear focus on protecting lives and property and preventing further attacks.
The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave this assurance in an interview with the BBC’s Victoria Uwonkunda, published via YouTube, yesterday,. where he addressed the role of intelligence services following recent security concerns, including the attack in Maiduguri.
According to a s statement made available to journalists by the Special Assistant (Media) Rabiu Ibrahim, to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris tacitly rejected the notion of a failure on the part of the Nigeria’s security agencies, saying, “I don’t think they failed. I think that more work needs to be done. Nigerian security agencies are working around the clock to ensure that this does not happen again,” adding, that Maiduguri had recorded significant improvements in peace and stability over time.
“The government is putting a lot of attention. The reform agenda of the President is aimed at ensuring that Nigerians are safe and that this does not happen again,” he further stated.
On global developments, particularly tensions in the Middle East and their potential impact on Nigeria, Idris emphasised Nigeria’s readiness to support global stability, especially in the energy sector. “Nigeria is ever ready to contribute to energy security around the world. Whatever Nigeria can do to ease tension, it will do. The world needs oil, and Nigeria is there,” he stated.
Speaking on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing engagements abroad, Idris described the visit as significant for Nigeria’s international relations. “This visit underscores the historical relationship, the cultural ties, and the economic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. We hope that we will deepen it further in the interest of both countries,” he said.
The Minister further highlighted the positive impact of the administration’s reforms, noting that they are already improving Nigeria’s global standing. “With the reforms that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has instituted, we have seen a significant uplift in the economy,” positing that “the invitation extended to the President reflects how positively these reforms are being viewed globally.”
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to sustaining reforms, strengthening security, and ensuring that Nigerians can live and work in safety, while also positioning the country as a responsible and reliable partner on the global stage
