Tinubu Reveals Why Military Force Alone Cannot End Insecurity In North Central

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said military force alone cannot guarantee lasting security in Nigeria’s North Central region, stressing the need for a coordinated approach involving government institutions, security agencies and local communities.

Tinubu made the remarks on Monday at the 2026 North Central Regional Security Summit in Makurdi, Benue State, where he called for stronger cooperation among stakeholders to address the persistent insecurity affecting the region.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the President, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said no single security agency, level of government or community could successfully tackle the security challenges on its own.

He urged the Armed Forces, police, intelligence agencies, state and local governments, traditional and religious leaders, community groups, youths, women, development partners and the private sector to work together to restore peace and stability.

Tinubu warned that rivalry, duplication of responsibilities and the withholding of vital information among security and government institutions could undermine efforts to combat criminal activities.

“No single agency, no single tier of government, and no single community can secure this region acting alone,” he said.

The President noted that criminal elements often operate across state and local government boundaries, making effective cooperation and intelligence sharing essential to tackling insecurity.

He said his administration had continued to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture through improved coordination among the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force and intelligence agencies, alongside investments in modern equipment and operational capabilities.

Tinubu also highlighted efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s indigenous defence industry through the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act, while improving the welfare of security personnel.

The President commended the military and other security agencies for what he described as notable achievements in the fight against terrorists and other criminal elements, including the neutralisation of terrorist commanders, surrender of fighters, rescue of captives and restoration of normal activities in some affected communities.

However, he maintained that military operations alone could only suppress violence without addressing the underlying factors responsible for recurring conflicts.

“Military action alone will not deliver lasting peace to the North Central. Force can suppress violence; it cannot resolve the grievances that produce it,” Tinubu said.

He identified competition over land and water, climate change, desertification, unresolved land-use disputes, weak local conflict-resolution mechanisms and the proliferation of illegal weapons as some of the factors contributing to insecurity in the region.

Tinubu therefore said the Federal Government would continue to combine security operations with development initiatives aimed at addressing the underlying causes of conflict and creating more sustainable peace across the North Central.