COAS, IG seek stronger inter-agency coordination against insecurity

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, has underscored the importance of a unified and coordinated approach among security agencies to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

Shaibu made the call on Wednesday while receiving the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, during a familiarisation visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

According to a statement by the Army spokesperson, Col Appolonia Anele, the IGP, during the meeting, emphasised the need for strengthened collaboration and sustained inter-agency synergy between the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force to tackle prevailing internal security threats more effectively.

“During the engagement, the IGP emphasised the need for strengthened collaboration and sustained inter-agency synergy between the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force to more effectively tackle prevailing internal security threats.

“He commended the long-standing and strategic partnership between both institutions, noting that such cooperation remains vital to the attainment of national security objectives,” the statement read.

The police boss also expressed appreciation for the Army’s support in training Police Mobile Force personnel, which he said had significantly enhanced operational effectiveness across multiple theatres.

Disu further assured the Army of continued intelligence sharing and operational coordination to reinforce joint efforts in ongoing and future security operations.

Responding, the COAS congratulated the IGP on his appointment and reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to deepening jointness in line with his command philosophy.

Shaibu noted that their professional relationship dated back to their joint service in the United Nations Mission in Darfur, Sudan, describing it as a shared foundation of cooperation in complex operational environments.

The Army chief also acknowledged the support of the Nigeria Police Force to troops deployed in Kogi, Kwara and Niger states, where he said ongoing operations against banditry and kidnapping were yielding results.

He assured the police of sustained support, stressing that only through a unified and well-coordinated inter-agency framework could enduring peace and security be achieved nationwide.

“Only through a unified and well-coordinated inter-agency framework can enduring peace and security be achieved nationwide,” the Army chief said.