Former Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Yusuf Tukur Buratai has called for collective action from all stakeholders to tackle Nigeria’s growing security challenges. He said sustainable nation building is impossible without first addressing insecurity across the country.
Buratai spoke in Dutse after receiving an award from the Federal University Dutse during the 2nd International Conference on Nation Building in the 21st Century organised by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. He said the current situation requires close cooperation between government institutions security agencies and citizens.
He urged Nigerians to continue supporting the military and other security formations. According to him nation building has many components but the people remain central and their education healthcare and general welfare must be prioritised alongside security.
Buratai stressed that no single institution can resolve the country’s security problems alone. He said insecurity demands a unified response from all segments of society and that conferences such as the one in Dutse help strengthen national consciousness about integrating security into wider development efforts.
He noted that for any nation to develop all key elements must be considered with security at the centre. He expressed hope that the conference would produce strong recommendations to guide government and stakeholders on the way forward.
On improving security he described it as a continuous responsibility that requires sustained government commitment. He said government must keep supporting the military with adequate equipment training and welfare and that security cannot be treated as a one off effort.
Buratai also highlighted the importance of intelligence gathering and effective policing as pillars of a strong national security framework. He said that with sustained collaboration and proper policy implementation Nigeria can overcome its security challenges and achieve meaningful nation building.
He commended the organisers of the conference describing it as timely and important. He added that nation building cuts across critical sectors especially education healthcare and citizens’ welfare which must all work together with security to build a stable country.
About the author
Iwobi Rues World Cup Miss Ahead of 100th Cap Against Portugal
As he prepares to earn his 100th cap for Nigeria in Wednesday's international friendly against Portugal, Nigeria midfielder Alex Iwobi says he has no regrets about his decade-long career with the Super Eagles. Iwobi made his senior debut for Nigeria in October 2015 and will become only the fourth Nigerian player to reach 100 international caps, joining Joseph Yobo, Vincent Enyeama and Ahmed Musa. Barring any unexpected twist, Iwobi is expected to join Jospeh Yobo, Vincent Enyeama and Ahmed Musa as one of only four Nigerians to have played a century of games for the national team when he lines out against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in Leiria. His 99th appearance was during a friendly match against Jordan in Antalya in March, and unfortunately, he was sent off after uncharacteristically reacting to an opponent grabbing him. The Fulham midfielder, who represented […]
There Is No Invasion of Bandits, Fulani Herdsmen in Ebonyi – Community Police
Ebonyi State Police Command has said that Fulani Herdsmen are not under attack or being chased out of Ebonyi State, dismissing viral videos making rounds on social media as distorted and misleading. In a communique on Monday, the spokesperson for the Ebonyi State Command, DSP Odah Loveth Obianuju, warned the public to beware of fake content circulating online. DSP Odah explained that prior to the fake videos making the rounds, there was no record of a threat to the life of the peace-loving herders or their cows, neither to those residing in the said camp or in the entire State. "There is no invasion of bandits, Fulani herdsmen in Ebonyi," he stated, urging Nigerians to regard the videos as fake, baseless and mischievous. The police communique further revealed that the Fulani community on Saturday paid Christmas and New Year's visit […]
Trump Says Peace Deal With Iran in Final Stages
President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that negotiations with Iran were "in the final stages," while warning of further attacks unless Tehran agrees to a peace deal. "We're in the final stages of Iran. We'll see what happens. Either have a deal, or we're going to do some things that are a little bit nasty, but hopefully that won't happen," he told reporters. Trump announced that he is in the "final stages" of negotiating an agreement with Iran, which he anticipates could be finalized within the next "two to three days," following a recent surge in hostilities. The president claimed he is in "no hurry" to finalize a peace agreement with Iran, suggesting that he would not consider making a "limited deal" only focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. On May 27, Trump said both sides were close to […]
Pope Arrives Barcelona to Bless World’s Tallest Church
Pope Leo XIV is making an ongoing apostolic journey to Spain on June 6–12, 2026, to address the immigration crisis, inaugurate the Tower of Jesus Christ of the Sagrada Familia, and strengthen ties with the Spanish government and Spaniards. The Pope arrived at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport mid-day on June 9, where he will proceed to a prayer at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, followed by a prayer vigil in the evening at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium. In the evening, the Pope will go to the Sagrada Familia to inaugurate and bless the recently-completed Tower of Jesus Christ, main and tallest tower of the basilica with a height of 172.5 meters (566 feet), making the Sagrada Familia the tallest church in the world. After the Mass, Pope Leo XIV will go outside the Basilica […]
BBNaija S10 Reunion Premieres With Tears, Accusations, Insults
The Big Brother Naija Season 10 reunion has finally premiered, and it wasted no time delivering tears, accusations and sharp insults as ex‑housemates returned to unpack months of unfinished drama from “Biggie’s house of commotion.” From lingering grudges to broken friendships and messy “ships,” the opening episodes are already trending across social media for their intense confrontations. Ahead of the TV premiere, reports from the reunion shoot suggested that filming ran late into the night as tempers flared and multiple face‑offs had to be separated. Clips and eyewitness accounts describe the set as “very heated,” with gbas gbos between several ex‑housemates who had avoided each other since leaving the show. Many of the conflicts picking up at the reunion were seeded during the season itself, which was marked by food fights, emotional breakdowns and bullying accusations. Housemates like Koyin, Kaybobo, […]
Streaming Shift, Career Attacks Affected My Fanbase – Lizzo
She stated that the industry's move toward streaming has affected artists who relied on traditional radio exposure, explaining: "The industry changed so much in the last 3 yrs. Streaming replaced radio & I was a radio darling. That's how my fans discovered my music." "Not to mention the very obvious & public attack on my career changed things. But I'm out here doing my absolute best," she wrote when addressing the fan. Lizzo also alluded to a lawsuit she faced in August 2023, where three former backup dancers accused her of various forms of harassment, assault, and other misconduct. "Additionally, the very public and evident attack on my career shifted things. But I'm here doing my utmost, and you can't fault me for that," the 38-year-old continued. Some allegations, including claims of fat-shaming against one dancer were dismissed by a […]
Related
There Is No Invasion of Bandits, Fulani Herdsmen in Ebonyi – Community Police
Ebonyi State Police Command has said that Fulani Herdsmen are not under attack or being chased out of Ebonyi State, dismissing viral videos making rounds on social media as distorted and misleading. In a communique on Monday, the spokesperson for the Ebonyi State Command, DSP Odah Loveth Obianuju, warned the public to beware of fake content circulating online. DSP Odah explained that prior to the fake videos making the rounds, there was no record of a threat to the life of the peace-loving herders or their cows, neither to those residing in the said camp or in the entire State. "There is no invasion of bandits, Fulani herdsmen in Ebonyi," he stated, urging Nigerians to regard the videos as fake, baseless and mischievous. The police communique further revealed that the Fulani community on Saturday paid Christmas and New Year's visit […]
Streaming Shift, Career Attacks Affected My Fanbase – Lizzo
She stated that the industry's move toward streaming has affected artists who relied on traditional radio exposure, explaining: "The industry changed so much in the last 3 yrs. Streaming replaced radio & I was a radio darling. That's how my fans discovered my music." "Not to mention the very obvious & public attack on my career changed things. But I'm out here doing my absolute best," she wrote when addressing the fan. Lizzo also alluded to a lawsuit she faced in August 2023, where three former backup dancers accused her of various forms of harassment, assault, and other misconduct. "Additionally, the very public and evident attack on my career shifted things. But I'm here doing my utmost, and you can't fault me for that," the 38-year-old continued. Some allegations, including claims of fat-shaming against one dancer were dismissed by a […]
FG Clears Over 1,240 Contractors Under N100m Claims
The federal government has cleared over 1,240 contractors with verified claims under N100 million, marking a major step in addressing the government's payment backlog to indigenous construction firms. The clearance follows sustained protests by the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN) over an estimated debt backlog for capital projects executed during recent fiscal years. The Federal Ministry of Finance maintains that payments were only authorised following a rigorous multi-stage verification process to ensure claims were genuine and properly documented. The clearance exercise includes contractors across various sectors including infrastructure development, housing projects,道路 construction, water supply systems, and electricity generation facilities. Minister of State for Finance Dr. Doris Uzoka Anite confirmed the disbursement in a statement issued after sustained protests at the Federal Ministry of Finance headquarters by indigenous firms. The payment aims to address a portion of the estimated […]
Troops Rescue 372 Civilians in Borno, Plateau, Kaduna, Sokoto
Nigerian troops have rescued 372 kidnapped civilians across Borno, Plateau, Kaduna, and Sokoto states in a series of coordinated counter-terrorism operations, according to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ). The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed the rescue figure during a weekly press briefing in Abuja on ongoing military operations across the country. In the North-East, troops of Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI intensified operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP elements in Borno State, neutralising several terrorists and rescuing 3 kidnapped victims in Damboa, Askira/Uba, Chibok, Mafa, Gwoza and Biu Local Government Areas. The operations targeted known insurgent hideouts, with troops eliminating scores of terrorists and arresting seven suspects in collaboration with local security forces. In the North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA troops carried out offensives across Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Kebbi and Sokoto States, leading to the […]
States Rush to Deploy Forest Guards as Insecurity Deepens
Multiple Nigerian states are rushing to deploy forest guards as insecurity deepens across the country, marking a significant expansion of the federal government's Presidential Forest Guards Initiative. The programme was launched by President Bola Tinubu in May 2025 as part of renewed efforts to tackle nationwide insecurity, and has already yielded fruits with over 7,000 newly recruited Nigerian Forest Guards graduating following successful completion of an intensive three-month training programme. Kwara State has deployed nearly 1,000 newly trained forest guards to its hinterlands, declaring war on terrorists and kidnappers exploiting the state's wooded terrain. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq delivered a blunt message to criminal elements at a passing-out parade in Ilorin: their days of using Kwara's forests as a sanctuary are over, with plans to station at least 200 guards in each of the state's 17 local government areas. The Office […]
Troops Rescue 360 Women, Children Abducted by Boko Haram in Gwoza
Nigerian security personnel have rescued 360 hostages, including many women and children, from a mountainous refuge in Borno State, where they had been held by Boko Haram's Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad (JAS) faction. The operation, led by the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, targeted the Mandara Mountains in the southern part of the state. The military confirmed Sunday that the hostages had been abducted by the JAS faction over an indeterminate period from various localities across the region. A collaborative task force, including special forces, compelled JAS militants to flee their positions and liberated the captives. During the rescue, two children died from exhaustion and severe conditions they endured while in captivity. The military reported these deaths as tragic casualties of the prolonged holding conditions. The operation was intelligence-driven and focused on the Mandara Mountains, a […]