The Ministry of Defence on Tuesday said it will collaborate with the interior ministry to fight internal security in the country.

The Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru, said this when he received the Minister of Interior, Olubumi Tunji-Ojo, on a courtesy visit in Abuja.

This is contained in a statement by Henshaw Ogubike,
Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry.

Mr Badaru said that the ministry had recorded successes in the fight against insecurity and was ready to work with the interior ministry to tackle the country’s security challenges.

“The ministry is ever ready to work with your ministry in solving the security challenges bedevilling our country. We will succeed if we work with you and you will succeed if you work with us,” he said.

The minister, therefore, directed that a technical committee be set up between the two ministries to forge ahead on areas of collaboration in tackling the security challenges in the country.

Earlier, Mr Tunji-Ojo said that there was a need for the ministry of Interior to synergise with the defence ministry to combat internal security in Nigeria.

He said that the reality on the ground was not the same as of 15 years ago.

“To curb the current security situation on the ground now, we have to come together like never before and devise means of tackling insecurity in Nigeria,” he said.

Mr Tunji-Ojo also explained that securing the nation’s land, sea and air borders would enhance the country’s security, adding that a country with a safe border was a safe nation.

“If you cannot secure your borders, you cannot secure your nation. My plea is for the Ministry of Defence to know that the agencies in the Ministry of Interior are key to internal security. We need to work together,” Mr Tunji-Ojo said.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Kana, has said that the eight point agenda of President Bola Tinubu called for synergy among the ministers and ministries to deliver on the mandates of this administration.

He added that the two ministries could work together harmoniously to the benefit of Nigerians.

(NAN)