President Tinubu Holds First Security Meeting With Service Chiefs, IGP

President Bola Tinubu, who took over the position of 16th president of Nigeria on Monday, held his first security meeting at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday.

The meeting was attended by Nigeria's Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao, and the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba alongside the president.

Tinubu arrived for the meeting at 10:53 a.m. and began the discussion behind closed-door.

According to multiple sources, the meeting was held to discuss the challenges of national security. The president asked the security heads for cooperation, coordinated efforts and prompt reporting alongside their security services.

During the meeting, President Tinubu pointed out that he is dedicated to the welfare and support of the military and other combatants in the country.

Even during the inaugural speech, the president said that security is the top priority as prosperity and justice can't prevail amid insecurity and violence.

"We shall defend the nation from terror and all forms of criminality that threaten the peace and stability of our country and our sub-region," he added. "To effectively tackle this menace, we shall reform both our security doctrine and its architecture."

The president promised to "invest more in our security personnel, and this means more than an increase in number," noting that there will be better training, equipment, pay, and firepower.

Ahead of Tinubu's inauguration, Inspector General warned dissident groups to avoid any disruption otherwise those groups will be "identified, promptly isolated, and brought to justice."

Security has been a major concern in Nigeria. Starting from an Islamic extremist group, Boko Haram that is responsible for bombings, kidnappings, and the abduction of schoolgirls in north-eastern Nigeria to Herder-Farmer conflicts.

Banditry, attacks on oil infrastructure, and ethnic tensions are also major security threats to the nation.