FG determined to tackle terrorism, says interior minister

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is determined to resolve the current security threats, including terrorism and border insecurity.

The Defence Headquarters had last week identified Lukarawa as a new terror group operating in Kebbi and Sokoto states.

Meanwhile, the group on Friday killed 15 locals in the Mera community in the Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

Tunji-Ojo, who spoke on Channels TV’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday, said comprehensive solutions take time, especially when dealing with longstanding issues.

“I will tell you that the National Security Adviser is working round the clock with us, the Defence, and of course the Armed Forces. And I want to assure Nigerians that we are on top of the security situation.

“The fact remains that as much as we are talking about results and effects, we must also not forget, that the question is how did we get here?

“I can tell you that under President Bola Tinubu, there’s a determination to solve this issue. But we must make sure that as much as we are solving these issues, we do not give room for other issues like this in the future,” he said.

The minister highlighted recent progress in combating insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, noting their significant decimation.

He, however, acknowledged that the fight against terrorism is complex, with new challenges emerging due to the ideological nature of these groups.

“Security is a growing concern. When you decimate one group, other issues can arise because you are dealing with an ideological battle,” he explained.

In response to public criticism about the recurring assurances from the government without visible improvements, Tunji-Ojo noted that substantial progress has been made since the Tinubu administration took office in May 2023.

He asserted that the current security landscape is better than it was a year ago, although there is still much work to be done.

The minister also highlighted efforts to improve border security, noting that the government is actively addressing vulnerabilities at the nation’s conventional and porous borders.

“I tell you, we are doing a lot. We have been able to handle our core conventional borders, and these are porous borders where we have the marching order of the president, and we are already working on that.

“It is not easy to solve problems that have persisted for over a century in just one year but at least, we can be on the right track,” he noted.

The minister acknowledged the public’s frustration but maintained that the administration remains committed to creating a safer environment for all Nigerians.

“Nobody is resting until Nigerians can sleep with their two eyes closed,” he said, calling for patience and support as the government intensifies its efforts to ensure sustainable peace and security across the country.