Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stepped up efforts to respond to Nigeria’s worsening security challenges, conducting high-level meetings with military chiefs and visiting a French officer following fresh casualties in the North-East.
On Monday, President Tinubu held a private session at the Presidential Villa in Abuja with General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Defence Staff, and a French general at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meetings, according to reports, are part of renewed efforts to strengthen international partnerships in tackling insurgency.
The President also called an urgent security summit with service chiefs and heads of intelligence agencies, including the armed forces, police, and key security institutions, amid rising attacks across parts of the country.
The summits were prompted by the killing of a commanding officer and six soldiers in Borno State after their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device during an operation in Monguno.
According to the military, the troops had earlier repelled an attack by insurgents before the incident occurred.
Security sources said the president is pursuing broader international partnerships, especially with France, which recently promised to support Nigeria with military equipment and training after talks with President Emmanuel Macron.
Tinubu had previously signalled that Nigeria would utilise existing diplomatic connections and credit facilities to strengthen its security architecture, stating ongoing outreach to multiple countries for support.
The latest developments come amid growing concerns over insecurity nationwide.
A recent Nigerian Air Force strike in the North-East has sparked backlash from human rights organisations following reports that the operation, which took place over the weekend, resulted in numerous civilian fatalities in addition to the targeted insurgents.
In the meantime, the United States Department of State recently approved the voluntary departure of non-essential embassy staff from Abuja, citing deteriorating security conditions.
The advisory placed several Nigerian states under its highest travel risk zones.
In spite of these concerns, the federal government stated that the situation remains under control, arguing that security challenges are localised and not indicative of a nationwide breakdown of law and order.
In another development, a wave of killings in Benue State has left several residents dead following attacks by suspected armed herders across different communities, further stating the country’s multidimensional security challenges.
As pressure mounts, the president's recent engagement signals a push for both domestic coordination and international backing to curb the rising security threats.