President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime on Tuesday in Abuja rolled out a five-year strategic plan to foster effective internal security.

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who unveiled the document, said it resulted from a retreat involving the ministry and services under it in 2021.

Mr Aregbesola said the plan would guide the ministry, agencies and boards in promoting effective internal security, good governance and protecting citizenship integrity.

“It is to position the ministry, its services and boards to make a more significant impact on the critical issues bordering on Nigeria’s internal security,” the minister said.

According to him, the ministry and its agencies will ensure that those likely to harm Nigerians are kept at bay.

He added that more focus would be on combating crime, intelligence gathering, timely response to emergencies, regulating foreigners, and properly rehabilitating inmates in custody.

Mr Aregbesola said the paramilitary services under the ministry are very essential to the security of the nation, hence the roadmap to enhance their operations.

He said despite operational challenges, “thousands of cases that would have put the nation into chaos are being addressed daily and nipped in the bud.

“This has enabled us sleep with both eyes closed and go about our daily business without any fear or worry.

“There is the need therefore, to have a holistic long-term plan for these agencies for their operations to be enhanced and for them to be more successful in their mission.”

The minister said the plan would provide direction for both long and short-term decision-making by the ministry through its relevant organs and agencies to effectively deliver on its mandate.

He said it would enhance proper integration, collaboration, and synergy between the agencies, including those charged with biometric and intelligence gathering and law enforcement.

“This is to effectively provide adequate internal security and citizenship integrity in the country.

“We all know that the ministry is very strategic to Nigeria’s unity, peace and safety as it plays a pivotal role in the country’s security, safety, peace and continued existence,” he added.

Earlier, the permanent secretary in the ministry, Shuaib Belgore, while reviewing the document, expressed the hope that it would address some grey areas around Nigeria’s internal security.

(NAN)