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Musa seeks joint intelligence fusion to tackle terrorism, banditry
The Ministries of Defence and Interior have agreed to establish a joint security task framework to strengthen coordination and improve Nigeria’s response to evolving internal and cross-border security threats.
The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), disclosed this on Friday in Abuja during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, where both ministers pledged to deepen inter-ministerial collaboration in tackling insecurity.
Musa described the two ministries as “two sides of the same national security coin,” noting that the traditional distinction between internal and external security had been blurred by asymmetric threats such as terrorism, insurgency, banditry and trans-border crimes.
According to him, no single agency can effectively address the country’s security challenges in isolation, stressing the need for intelligence-driven, whole-of-government solutions.
“The line between internal and external security is no longer clear. These threats require synergy, intelligence sharing and coordinated operations if we are to succeed,” the defence minister said.
He explained that the proposed framework would include a strengthened joint intelligence fusion arrangement between the Defence Intelligence Agency and key Interior Ministry agencies, including the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Musa also advocated the deployment of secure technology platforms for real-time information sharing, regular joint simulations and tabletop exercises, as well as clearly defined protocols for joint operations to reduce operational friction and maximise available resources.
He assured that the Ministry of Defence would continue to support capacity-building for internal security agencies through specialised training in counterterrorism, intelligence gathering and crisis response, in addition to logistical and technical assistance where necessary.
In his response, Tunji-Ojo agreed that weaknesses in the internal security architecture inevitably overstretch the military, noting that effective policing and civil security structures would allow the armed forces to focus on their core constitutional mandate.
“Our national security architecture stands on a tripod of intelligence, internal security and defence. If one leg is weak, the entire structure is threatened,” the interior minister said.
He warned against rivalry and territorialism among security agencies, stressing that Nigerians were more concerned about safety and results than ministerial boundaries.
Tunji-Ojo identified border security as a critical area requiring closer collaboration, particularly through the Nigerian Immigration Service, adding that no country could guarantee the safety of its citizens without securing its borders.
He also clarified the role of the NSCDC, saying the corps was not designed to be a “police version 2.0” but a specialised agency responsible for protecting critical national assets such as schools, oil and gas facilities, solid minerals, telecommunications and power infrastructure.
According to him, attacks on such assets amount to “economic terrorism” and require military-grade training and close cooperation with the armed forces.
Both ministers further agreed on the need for integrated data management, with Interior Ministry databases serving as critical inputs for defence planning and national security decision-making.
They disclosed that an inter-ministerial technical committee would be activated to meet regularly, review progress, address operational bottlenecks and institutionalise cooperation at both strategic and operational levels.
Musa and Tunji-Ojo expressed confidence that sustained collaboration between their ministries would enhance national security, boost public confidence and deliver a safer Nigeria.
