The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd), has called for a collaborative approach to addressing insecurity in the North Central region, stressing that military operations alone cannot deliver lasting peace and stability.
Speaking at the 2026 North Central Regional Security Summit in Makurdi, Benue State, Musa said the fight against insecurity requires stronger cooperation among government institutions, security agencies, traditional rulers, communities and citizens.
He described the summit as an important platform for stakeholders to examine the region’s unique security challenges and develop solutions that align with Nigeria’s broader national security framework.
According to the minister, the North Central region occupies a strategic position in Nigeria due to its contribution to agriculture, food security, commerce and national cohesion.
He noted that instability in the region has far-reaching consequences for the country.
Musa identified recurring communal conflicts, farmer-herder clashes, banditry, kidnapping, the proliferation of illicit arms and other criminal activities as major threats confronting the region.
He said the complexity of these security challenges requires a broader response that includes intelligence gathering, conflict prevention, effective coordination among agencies, meaningful community engagement, responsible governance and the creation of economic opportunities.
“The Armed Forces and other security agencies have an important role to play in protecting lives, restoring security and creating the space for normal life to return,” he said, adding that lasting stability also depends on addressing the conditions that allow insecurity to thrive.
The minister further linked security to national development, arguing that economic growth and social progress cannot be achieved in an environment of fear and instability.
He noted that farmers, traders and local communities are among those most affected when insecurity disrupts livelihoods and economic activities.
Musa said the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, remains committed to strengthening the capacity and welfare of security personnel, enhancing intelligence gathering, improving inter-agency cooperation and addressing the wider factors that undermine peace and development.
He urged participants at the summit to move beyond identifying problems and focus instead on developing practical recommendations with clear responsibilities, realistic measures and implementable actions.
According to him, effective solutions will require greater collaboration across state boundaries, improved information sharing and stronger coordination among stakeholders.
The summit brought together policymakers, security professionals, traditional rulers, community leaders, state and local government officials and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for enhancing security and regional stability in the North Central zone.
Musa called on participants to engage openly and constructively in pursuit of practical and sustainable solutions capable of contributing to a safer, more prosperous and more united Nigeria.
The summit’s theme was “Collaborative Approaches to Strengthening Security and Regional Stability.”
