Sunday, August 9, 2026

Creation of state police urgent for Nigeria’s national security: Tinubu

“I continue to believe that a decentralised policing system with appropriate safeguards, complemented by properly regulated forest guards, all anchored on accountability, is critical.”

• January 1, 2026
President Bola Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu(Credit: Peoples Gazette)

President Bola Tinubu says his administration will deepen cooperation with regional and global partners in 2026 to eliminate all threats to Nigeria’s security and territorial integrity.

Mr Tinubu stated this on Thursday in his 2026 New Year message to Nigerians.

“My fellow Nigerians, the path of reform is never easy, but it is necessary,” said the president. “We remain mindful that economic progress must be accompanied by security and peace.”

The president said Nigeria continued to confront threats from criminal and terrorist elements determined to disrupt national stability.

He recalled recent coordinated actions with international partners, including the U.S. to degrade terror networks.

“In collaboration with international partners, including the United States, decisive actions were taken against terrorist targets in parts of the Northwest on December 24,” Mr Tinubu explained.

He added that sustained military operations were ongoing across the Northwest and North-East.

“Our Armed Forces have since sustained operations against terror networks and criminal strongholds across the Northwest and North-East,” he added.

Mr Tinubu said security agencies would intensify intelligence-sharing and operational coordination in the new year.

“In 2026, our security and intelligence agencies will deepen cooperation with regional and global partners to eliminate all threats to national security,” stated Mr Tinubu.

The president reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to protecting lives, property and national sovereignty.

“We remain committed to protecting lives, property, and the territorial integrity of our country,” noted Mr Tinubu.

He reiterated his support for decentralised policing as part of long-term security reforms, saying, “I continue to believe that a decentralised policing system with appropriate safeguards, complemented by properly regulated forest guards, all anchored on accountability, is critical.”

Mr Tinubu said the new year would usher in a more robust phase of inclusive economic growth.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Afenifere

NationWide

2027: Afenifere seeks stronger Yoruba-Igbo ties, warns against ethnic division

Mr Wellington said the initiative was informed by growing mutual suspicion between the Yoruba and Igbo communities, which he described as unhealthy for national unity.

Trump standing with Netanyahu

World

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu rejects Trump’s Gaza peace plan

The PM said he would not ⁠⁠withdraw forces until the Palestinian group Hamas ⁠⁠fully disarms.

Mokwa protest

States

Police intervene in Niger drivers’ protest

Commercial drivers blocked the Mokwa to New-Bussa and Mokwa to Bida to Ilorin roads to protest alleged kidnapping of their colleagues by suspected bandits.

Opinion

Aderonke Atoyebi: When Results Speak: Why Tinubu’s commendation of Zacch Adedeji matters

Dr Adedeji, in line with the express directive of President Tinubu, championed reforms that make taxation simpler, fairer, and more efficient.

SEREC

NationWide

SEREC urges stronger port, border security

He said Nigeria’s maritime and land-frontier networks are being persistently tested and exploited by transnational criminal syndicates, arms traffickers, and drug cartels.