Defence Minister Assures Nigerians of Renewed Federal Offensive, Five-Year Security Plan

The Federal Government has unveiled renewed strategies aimed at tackling insecurity across Nigeria, with greater emphasis on proactive military operations, strategic planning and enhanced collaboration among federal, state and local authorities.

The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, MON, disclosed this on Monday during a condolence and security assessment visit to the Kano State Government House following the bandit attack on August 29, 2026, in Chiroma Village, Garun Mallam Local Government Area of the state.

Matawalle, who represented the Federal Government during the visit, reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to defeating insecurity and restoring sustainable peace across the country.

According to the Minister, the President has constituted a committee saddled with the responsibility of developing a Five-Year Defence and Security Plan, which will provide a comprehensive framework for addressing emerging and existing security threats.

“The President has constituted a committee to develop a Five-Year Defence and Security Plan. This will guide our long-term approach to tackling security threats across the country,” Matawalle said.

He disclosed that security forces responded swiftly to the Garun Mallam incident, with the Commander, 3 Brigade, Kano, Brigadier General Jimoh, leading a joint rescue operation involving personnel of the Joint Task Force from the Hawan-Kwano and Kwanar Dangora camps.

The operation resulted in the successful rescue of kidnapped victims around the Yan-Kifi Bridge and Marabar Kwari areas of Garun Mallam Local Government Area.

Matawalle commended the troops for their courage, professionalism and prompt response, assuring Nigerians that the Federal Government would continue to strengthen the operational capacity of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

“We will continue doing everything possible to support our security services to ensure our country is safe. I assure you that soon, insecurity will be a thing of the past, and we will all live in peace and prosperity,” he said.

The Minister stressed that defeating insecurity requires a coordinated approach involving all tiers of government, security agencies and citizens.

He called for improved intelligence sharing and timely provision of credible information by residents, noting that community cooperation remains critical to preventing attacks and dismantling criminal networks.

“It takes the combined effort of local government, state and federal levels to tackle this issue of insecurity. We also need timely and credible information from citizens to security agencies,” he said.

As part of the Federal Government’s renewed support for Kano State, Matawalle also assured the state government of additional operational resources, including fighting vehicles, weapons and other equipment to enhance ongoing security operations.

Earlier, the Minister held a closed-door security meeting with commanders of 3 Brigade and other military formations in Kano, where he charged them to sustain the momentum of current operations and intensify efforts to protect vulnerable communities.

He reiterated that the Federal Government would continue to provide the Armed Forces and other security agencies with the resources and institutional support required to protect lives and property and preserve the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

Responding, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, thanked the Minister for the visit and expressed the state’s readiness to deepen cooperation with the Federal Government on security.

The Governor said Kano remained committed to supporting federal security initiatives and ensuring that insecurity does not gain further ground in the state.

“We are confident in your leadership. At the state level, we will continue to do what needs to be done to ensure security and stability in Kano,” Governor Yusuf said.

He added that the state government had taken note of President Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening national security and would continue to work with federal authorities to safeguard Kano communities.

The Minister’s visit comes amid intensified efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen security coordination, improve military response capabilities and develop longer-term strategies for addressing terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other threats to national security.

The proposed Five-Year Defence and Security Plan is expected to provide a strategic framework for sustaining these efforts and strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to respond to evolving security challenges.

I can also reshape this into a Vanguard-style hard-news report with a shorter headline and more prominent political/security analysis if needed.