Matawalle hails armed forces’ achievements against insecurity
The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Mohammed Bello Matawalle, has commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their significant strides in combating insurgency, banditry, and other security challenges since the current administration took office.
He highlighted that these successes, though substantial, are often underreported to safeguard the operational security of military personnel actively involved in these missions.
Dr. Matawalle made this known during a meeting with the Special Assistant to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja.
The session focused on reviewing the 2024 Performance Assessment Report for the first three quarters on the implementation of Presidential priorities and ministerial deliverables.
Reflecting on the country’s progress, the Minister noted a decline in oil theft, piracy, and kidnapping, which once dominated the nation’s news headlines.
He attributed these achievements to the relentless efforts of the Armed Forces and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to building a safer Nigeria.
“We have achieved a lot, and we are determined to do more to ensure the safety of all Nigerians,” he said.
Hadiza Bala Usman, while acknowledging the Ministry’s progress, urged them to improve public communication about these achievements. She suggested conducting regional tours of troubled areas to gather firsthand accounts from rescued individuals.
Such efforts, she said, would serve as compelling evidence of the government’s resolve to tackle insecurity and counter skepticism from the public.
During the review session, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, detailed the Ministry’s accomplishments, lauding the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for their dedication.
Dr. Kana also encouraged Ministry officials to maintain their focus on delivering impactful results, pledging to exceed the performance of previous quarters.
As the Ministry aims to sustain and expand on its successes, Matawalle assured the Special Assistant to the President of timely submission of performance data for evaluation.
The meeting underscored the federal government’s determination to ensure peace and security across the nation while emphasizing the importance of transparency and public engagement in showcasing the Armed Forces’ contributions.
