Tinubu Calls for Grassroots Intelligence, Stronger Collaboration to End North-Central Insecurity

President Bola Tinubu has urged traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders to take a more active role in tackling insecurity, stressing that lasting peace can only be achieved through collective action and effective intelligence gathering.

The President made the call on Monday at the 2026 North-Central Regional Security Summit in Makurdi, Benue State, where he emphasized the need for stronger cooperation between security agencies, local communities and governments at all levels.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Tinubu said insecurity remains a complex challenge that transcends state boundaries and institutional responsibilities, making collaboration essential to defeating criminal networks operating across the region.

He urged citizens to support security agencies with timely information and warned against shielding criminals because of ethnic, family or personal affiliations. According to him, communities must become active partners in the fight against crime by identifying threats early and promoting peaceful coexistence.

The President described traditional and religious leaders as critical actors in conflict prevention, noting that their influence and close connection to local communities place them in a unique position to detect emerging security threats and foster reconciliation.

Tinubu stated that his administration has continued to strengthen the nation’s security architecture through improved coordination among the military, police and intelligence agencies, alongside investments in modern equipment and enhanced welfare packages for security personnel.

While acknowledging recent gains recorded against criminal elements, he maintained that security operations alone would not deliver sustainable peace. He said factors such as disputes over land and natural resources, climate-related pressures, illegal arms proliferation and weak conflict-resolution mechanisms continue to fuel instability in parts of the country.

The President explained that the Federal Government is combining military operations with economic and social interventions aimed at addressing the root causes of violence. He highlighted ongoing investments in agriculture, rural infrastructure, irrigation and access to finance as part of efforts to create opportunities and reduce tensions within vulnerable communities.

He also pointed to reforms in the livestock sector and programmes designed to restore stability in areas affected by conflict, describing them as important components of the government’s broader peace-building strategy.

In his address, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia said the summit offered an important platform for stakeholders to develop practical solutions to the security challenges confronting the North-Central region. He stressed that insecurity can only be effectively addressed through a united and coordinated approach involving governments, traditional institutions and local communities.

Alia noted that despite its rich ethnic and cultural diversity, the North-Central region possesses shared values capable of fostering peace, stability and development. He called on stakeholders to move beyond discussions and translate commitments into concrete actions that would strengthen security and protect lives and livelihoods across the region.