The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, has reiterated that safeguarding Nigeria’s security cannot be left to the government and the Armed Forces alone, insisting that it is a shared duty that demands the active participation of citizens, communities and stakeholders across the country.
Matawalle made this known on Tuesday while receiving members of the National Forum of Former Legislators on a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Defence headquarters at Ship House, Abuja.
According to the minister, national security thrives not only on military operations but also on public cooperation, timely intelligence sharing and strong community vigilance. He noted that managing security in a country as large and diverse as Nigeria is a complex task, especially amid evolving threats in different regions.
“Public concerns and criticisms are understandable in a democratic society,” Matawalle said, stressing, however, that such challenges must be viewed within their proper historical and operational context.
He explained that under the current administration, the Ministry of Defence, working closely with the Armed Forces and other security agencies, has continued to confront security challenges through renewed strategies, enhanced inter-agency collaboration, coordinated operations and sustained capacity building aimed at protecting lives and securing communities.
The minister further reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening national security through sustained cooperation between the Executive and Legislative arms of government. He noted that addressing Nigeria’s security challenges requires a holistic approach that balances kinetic operations with non-kinetic strategies such as intelligence gathering, public engagement and effective legislative oversight.
Matawalle underscored the importance of drawing on the experience and institutional knowledge of former legislators in shaping policies that promote peace, stability and national cohesion. He commended the forum for its sustained interest in security matters and assured members of the ministry’s readiness to work closely with them and other relevant institutions to ensure a safer Nigeria.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Hon. Raphael Nnanna Ibekwe, said the visit was to identify with the ministry’s “giant strides” despite the challenges confronting it. He acknowledged that security is a collective responsibility and used the opportunity to call on Nigerians to support the government and security agencies in flushing out emerging threats.
Ibekwe said the forum was also urging the Ministry of Defence to remain focused on its mandate in line with the agenda of President Bola Tinubu. He pledged that the former legislators were ready to support the ministry, particularly in non-kinetic approaches, noting that the forum boasts seasoned professionals and security experts who could offer valuable assistance.
He encouraged Matawalle to do more, describing the visit as a show of solidarity and confidence in the minister’s credentials and capacity to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s security architecture.