The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has called for deeper involvement of local authorities in Nigeria’s security architecture, stressing that grassroots participation remains critical to addressing the country’s persistent insecurity challenges. He made this known during a television interview, where he shared insights into the Federal Government’s evolving security strategy.
General Musa explained that local authorities are closest to the people and are therefore better positioned to identify early warning signs, suspicious movements, and emerging threats within their communities. According to him, effective security cannot rely solely on federal agencies but must be driven by timely intelligence and cooperation at the local level.
The Defence Minister noted that many security breaches could be prevented if local government officials, traditional rulers, and community leaders were fully integrated into national security planning and response mechanisms. He said their involvement would strengthen trust between citizens and security agencies, leading to improved intelligence gathering.
He further disclosed during the television interview that the Federal Government is working to enhance coordination among security agencies and sub-national authorities. General Musa said ongoing reforms are aimed at ensuring information flows seamlessly from communities to relevant security formations for swift action.
General Musa reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces and other security agencies to protecting lives and property across the country. He urged state and local authorities to take ownership of security within their domains, emphasizing that collective responsibility and collaboration are essential to restoring lasting peace and stability.