Tinubu Meets Security Chiefs As Rising Insecurity, Political Tensions Dominate National Agenda

Tinubu Meets Security Chiefs as Rising Insecurity, Political Tensions Dominate National Agenda President Bola Tinubu on Thursday convened a high-level security meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, bringing together the country’s top military commanders, intelligence chiefs and senior security advisers for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s security situation amid renewed attacks in parts of the country. The closed-door meeting, which lasted more than two hours, was attended by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye; the Director-General of the Department of State Services DSS Adeola Ajayi; the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency NIA), Mohammed Mohammed; the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunde Disu; and the President’s Special Adviser on Homeland Security, Major General Adeyinka Famadewa retd., among other senior officials.

Although the Presidency did not immediately disclose details of the deliberations, officials familiar with the meeting said it focused on assessing ongoing security operations across the country and reviewing strategies to address emerging threats in the North-East, North-West and other troubled regions. The meeting came shortly after troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, carried out operations against armed groups in Zamfara and Katsina states, while troops of Operation Hadin Kai continued counter-insurgency operations in the North-East following recent attacks on military formations. The security review also followed reports that the United States had withdrawn most of the troops deployed for a recent joint counter-terrorism mission with Nigerian forces targeting fighters linked to the Islamic State group in the North-East. The meeting took place against the backdrop of growing public concern over insecurity, with reports indicating that several schools remain closed in parts of Kebbi State because of persistent bandit attacks, while dozens of victims abducted from Oriire in Oyo State are still being held by their captors weeks after their kidnapping. State authorities in Kebbi have defended the prolonged closure of schools, describing it as a necessary measure to protect students and teachers. The security developments also coincided with heightened political exchanges ahead of the 2027 general elections. The African Democratic Congress ADC accused the ruling All Progressives Congress APC of placing greater emphasis on electoral politics than on addressing worsening insecurity and economic hardship. ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the government should prioritise tackling hunger, displacement and violent crime rather than focusing on future elections. He argued that the administration’s primary responsibility is to improve citizens’ welfare and strengthen national security. Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso separately called on the Federal Government to ensure the safety of opposition figures, including Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, amid heightened political tensions. They urged authorities to uphold constitutional rights and guarantee equal protection for all citizens regardless of political affiliation. As Nigerians await an official briefing on the outcome of the Presidential Villa meeting, analysts say the gathering underscores the growing pressure on the Federal Government to contain insecurity while responding to increasing political tensions ahead of the next electoral cycle.