President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that ongoing reforms in the country’s security architecture will soon produce visible results and restore public confidence. He gave the assurance when he met with a Christian Association of Nigeria delegation led by Archbishop Daniel Okoh at his Lagos residence on Friday.
Tinubu said his administration remains committed to overhauling the security sector, including creating state and community police structures to tackle emerging threats. He admitted that Nigeria still has vast ungoverned spaces but expressed confidence that the challenges would be overcome.
The President urged religious leaders to support government efforts through vigilance, cooperation and prayers, noting that some security measures need time to mature. He described Nigerians as prayerful people and said their support is vital to sustaining peace.
Tinubu stressed that state and community policing will become a reality once the National Assembly concludes the necessary constitutional and legislative work. He explained that the federal government is working closely with lawmakers to deliver the framework needed to devolve policing.
He also revealed that delays in acquiring and replacing military hardware are affecting public perception of the fight against insecurity. According to him, such equipment is costly and not available off the shelf, which makes procurement slow.
Tinubu disclosed that Nigeria has ordered four attack helicopters from the United States and is also seeking additional support from Turkey. He reaffirmed that, despite the guerrilla tactics of insurgents and bandits, restoring peace across the country remains a top priority for his administration.
Commenting on the recent abduction and release of schoolchildren in Niger and Kebbi States, the President said the safety of victims is more important than public debate about the tactics used to secure their freedom. He noted that, in such cases, the end result of saving lives is what matters most.
CAN President Daniel Okoh pledged the Church’s support for Tinubu and his government, saying Christians have no choice but to stand with the country’s elected leader. He commended recent improvements in security and observed that the 2025 Christmas season was the first in years without midnight calls reporting attacks on churches.
Okoh praised Tinubu’s willingness to engage religious bodies, saying it has helped close the gap between the Church and the government. He called for continued engagement through CAN structures in all 774 local government areas and asked for the release of funds to the Christian Pilgrims’ Board.
Members of the CAN delegation included Vice President Rev Stephen Panya Baba, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria President Bishop Francis Wale Oke and representatives from Catholic, Methodist and African Instituted Churches.
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