BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS
President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government’s newly recalibrated security strategy will soon deliver decisive results, despite the evolving guerrilla tactics of bandits and insurgents across the country.
The President gave the assurance on Friday while receiving a delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, at his Lagos residence, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Tinubu said his administration remained steadfast in its determination to restore peace and prosperity to the nation, stressing that insecurity was being tackled with fresh approaches and long-term structural reforms.
He disclosed that the Federal Government is fully committed to the establishment of State and Community Police, noting that the initiative would fundamentally transform Nigeria’s security landscape once the National Assembly concludes the required legislative processes.
“The challenge is real, but we will surmount it. Our ungoverned spaces are large, yet the mood of the nation is peaceful. We are prayer warriors, but we also need focus, vigilance and cooperation,” the President said.
Addressing concerns over delays in acquiring military hardware, Tinubu explained that such equipment is expensive and not readily available. He revealed that Nigeria has ordered four attack helicopters from the United States, while discussions are ongoing with Turkey for additional support.
The President admitted that delays in the arrival of the hardware may have affected public perception but insisted that his administration was not relenting in its efforts to secure the country.
On the recent abduction and subsequent release of schoolchildren in Niger and Kebbi states, Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, saying the safety of the victims was paramount.
“The rhetoric about how the children were released or what happened to the kidnappers is secondary. The end justifies the means,” he said.
In his response, CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh pledged the full support of the Christian community to the Tinubu administration.
“You are our President. The Church has no choice but to support you and your administration,” Okoh declared.
He commended Tinubu’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s socio-economic and security challenges, describing the task before him as daunting but achievable.
“We are assured of your sagacity. Your commitment has closed the gap between the government and the Church. This has never happened before,” he said, adding that the Christian community was determined to see the administration succeed.
Archbishop Okoh also appealed for sustained engagement with CAN through its established structures across the 774 local governments and requested the release of funds to the Christian Pilgrims’ Board to enable it to fulfil its mandate.
Other members of the CAN delegation included the Vice President of CAN, Rev. Dr Stephen Panya Baba; President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Francis Wale Oke; representatives of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), Catholic and Methodist blocs, and the Lagos State CAN Chairman, Bishop Stephen Adegbite.
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