President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture, announcing that community and state policing will soon become operational once the National Assembly finalises the required legislation.
Speaking on Friday while receiving a delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, at his Lagos residence, President Tinubu described the planned security reform as a major shift in Nigeria’s approach to safeguarding lives and property.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President said the government was recalibrating its security framework to deliver concrete results. He noted that although the country remains generally peaceful, vast ungoverned spaces continue to pose security challenges, which the administration is actively addressing.
Tinubu stressed the importance of legislative backing for the commencement of sub-national policing structures, urging Nigerians to exercise patience as the government works through the required processes, including procurement of essential military hardware. He acknowledged delays in acquiring critical air assets, including four attack helicopters ordered from the United States, while disclosing that discussions were also ongoing with Turkey for additional support.
Reflecting on the recent abductions and rescue of schoolchildren in Niger and Kebbi states, the President urged citizens to remain vigilant and supportive of security efforts, emphasising that tangible outcomes matter more than rhetoric.
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Responding, CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh pledged the Church’s continued cooperation with the government, commending President Tinubu’s engagement efforts and support to religious institutions. He called for deeper collaboration through CAN’s structures across all 774 local government areas and appealed for the release of funds to the Christian Pilgrims’ Board to enable it fulfil its mandate.
Other members of the CAN delegation included Vice President Rev. Dr Stephen Panya Baba; President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Francis Wale Oke; representatives of the Catholic, Methodist and African Instituted Churches blocs; and Lagos State CAN Chairman, Bishop Stephen Adegbite.
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