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By Oscar Okhifo
The Federal Government on Monday renewed its commitment to strengthening national security and protecting Nigerians, with the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, assuring Kano State and the wider Nigerian public that the government would intensify efforts to tackle insecurity.
Matawalle gave the assurance, when he visited the Kano State Government House following the attack by suspected bandits on August 29, 2026, in Ciroma Village, Garun Mallam Local Government Area of the state.
The minister said President Bola Tinubu-led administration remained resolute in its determination to defeat insecurity and create a safer environment for Nigerians, stressing that the government would continue to deploy available measures and adopt new strategic approaches to address the country’s security challenges.
He disclosed that President Tinubu had recently constituted a committee to develop a Five-Year Defence and Security Plan as part of efforts to strengthen the nation’s security architecture and provide a long-term response to emerging threats.
“The President has recently constituted a committee that will come up with the Five-Year Defence and Security Plan,” he said.
Matawalle said that following the report of the attack, the Commander, 3 Brigade, Kano, Brigadier General Jimoh, immediately led a coordinated rescue operation involving personnel of the Joint Task Force deployed from the Hawan-Kwano and Kwanar Dangora camps.
He said the operation resulted in the successful rescue of the kidnapped victims around the Yan-Kifi Bridge and Marabar Kwari areas of Garun Mallam Local Government Area.
The minister commended the troops and other security personnel involved in the operation for their prompt response, courage and commitment to duty, assuring Nigerians that the Federal Government would continue to strengthen the operational capacity of the nation’s security and defence forces.
“We will continue doing everything possible to support our security services to ensure that our country is safe.
“I can assure you that soon, the issue of insecurity will be a thing of the past, and that we will all live in peace and prosperity in this country,” the Minister added.
Matawalle also stressed that sustainable success in the fight against insecurity would require a whole-of-government approach, urging stakeholders at all levels to work together and provide timely and credible information to security agencies.
“It is also important to bear in mind that it takes a combined effort of all of us, at the local government level, state and federal levels, all of the levels, we need to come together to tackle this issue of insecurity,” he said.
He reiterated that the Federal Government would continue to provide the necessary support, resources and operational enablers to the Armed Forces and other security agencies to enhance their capacity to protect lives and property and safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity.
Matawalle also assured the Kano State Government of the Federal Government’s readiness to strengthen collaboration and coordination with the state in addressing insecurity and other emerging security challenges.
Earlier, the minister held a security meeting with the Commander, 3 Brigade, and other military commanders in Kano State, where he charged them to sustain the momentum of ongoing operations and redouble their efforts to ensure adequate security across their areas of responsibility.
He assured the commanders of continued Federal Government support and disclosed plans to provide additional fighting vehicles, weapons and other operational enablers required to enhance the effectiveness of security operations.
In his remarks, the Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, thanked the minister for the visit and expressed confidence in the commitment of the Federal Government to addressing the security challenges confronting Kano State and the country at large.
“We are very confident in you and at the state level we will continue to do what it needs to do, to ensure security and stability in Kano.
“We’ve heard the President and what he has to say to ensure security and stability in Nigeria, we will do a lot to ensure that the menace of insecurity will not remain in our domain,” the Governor said.
Nigerians, however, continue to await a peaceful country where lives, properties and livelihoods are safe from violent attacks.
Beyond assurances and rescue operations, many citizens also want a justice system that truly bites perpetrators of violence and their sponsors, ensuring that those responsible for attacks are made to face the full weight of the law.
They also expect the government to be deliberate and consistent in the release of funds required for security operations, while heads of security agencies and other officials entrusted with such resources are expected to be accountable, prudent and demonstrate value for every kobo released to protect the nation.