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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to build a more resilient national security architecture through closer collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, stressing that security agencies must work as partners, not as rivals.
Speaking on Friday while receiving the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd.), in Abuja, Tunji-Ojo described national security as “a tripod of intelligence, internal security and defence,” warning that inter-agency rivalry only weakens the country’s ability to respond to threats.
He emphasised that no single institution can effectively secure Nigeria in isolation, noting that synergy and clear role definition are critical in confronting today’s complex security challenges. According to him, border security remains a top priority for the Interior Ministry, given its direct impact on terrorism, smuggling and other transnational crimes.
Tunji-Ojo also clarified the mandate of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), stressing that the agency is specifically tasked with protecting critical national assets and infrastructure. He described attacks on such facilities as “economic terrorism,” warning that sabotage of power installations, pipelines and other strategic assets undermines national stability and development.
In his remarks, Defence Minister Gen. Musa commended Tunji-Ojo for what he described as bold reforms and renewed focus within the Interior Ministry, calling for even deeper cooperation between both ministries. He noted that contemporary security threats no longer respect the traditional boundaries between internal and external security.
“Modern security challenges have blurred the lines between internal and external threats,” Musa said, adding that effective responses now depend on strong intelligence sharing, joint planning and coordinated operations across agencies.
Both ministers agreed on the need to enhance intelligence exchange, integrate data management systems and activate an inter-ministerial technical committee to drive sustained collaboration. They expressed confidence that continuous cooperation between the Interior and Defence Ministries would significantly strengthen Nigeria’s security framework and contribute to a safer and more secure nation.