The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, says the federal government will leave no stone unturned in addressing the security challenges confronting the country, assuring that criminal elements will be confronted and defeated.
During a tour of the operational headquarters of the Federal Capital Territory Commands of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Fire Service, he said the government is committed to strengthening all agencies under the ministry for optimum and effective service delivery at a critical time for national security.
He explained that President Bola Tinubu had issued a clear directive to ensure that the agencies operate with full capacity and preparedness, noting that the president is “putting all hands on deck to make sure that we have a safe Nigeria.” He added that national safety and security remain a continuous process in which the NSCDC has a major role.
While inspecting the construction of the NSCDC FCT command training ground, he said the corps, alongside other security agencies, is taking proactive steps to strengthen the readiness of its personnel to combat insecurity. He stressed the importance of consistent capacity development, saying, “Paramilitary service is about constant and effective training and capacity building, and the NSCDC has a major role to play.” He expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the FCT command, noting that the training centre under construction demonstrates forward thinking and preparedness for emerging challenges. He said, “We must keep training, retraining, and investing in training so that these gallant officers can continue to give their best to Nigeria.”
The minister reaffirmed that the administration will continue to support all paramilitary agencies, emphasising that President Tinubu has already provided the backing needed to strengthen internal security operations. He said it is his responsibility to ensure the agencies receive the necessary support and that this formed part of the reason for his visit.
Tunji-Ojo urged paramilitary officers and men to carry out their duties effectively, efficiently, and with respect for fundamental rights. He said, “Security is life, we are relying on them, and Mr President is trusting them to deliver on the issue of internal security and the protection of critical national assets. We believe that they will deliver on this and we all will be proud of Nigeria and be able to call this great country a home.”
He added that the ministry will continue conducting unscheduled assessments of paramilitary commands across the country to evaluate service delivery, insisting that Nigerians deserve the best standard of service. He said the purpose is to see operations as they truly are and ensure that the quality delivered across agencies meets expectations.
The minister also expressed dissatisfaction with the state of the Federal Fire Service Wuse station in Abuja, stating that he would address the issues with the Controller General. He noted that a rescue agency must be fully prepared for emergencies at all times and said the concerns raised would be handled to ensure they do not recur. He said the issues were not for public discussion at the moment but assured that they would be corrected promptly.
