Nigeria’s Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has stressed the urgent need for real-time intelligence sharing among the country’s security agencies as a critical step toward improving threat response and ensuring national stability.
Speaking at an Interagency Security Seminar held at the Army War College Nigeria, Abuja, the Minister said that bridging existing gaps in intelligence coordination is vital for proactively addressing Nigeria’s evolving security landscape.
The seminar, themed “Multiplicity of Operations in Nigeria’s Contemporary Security Landscape: Optimizing Multi-Agency Efforts for Effective Threat Response,” brought together security stakeholders and experts to discuss collaborative strategies for safeguarding the nation.
Gaidam said the country must move away from isolated agency responses and adopt a unified, technology-driven approach that includes law enforcement, the military, intelligence agencies, and civil society.
“The need to establish a seamless and secure mechanism for real-time intelligence sharing is of utmost importance in managing our security issues,” he said. “This will enhance our capacity for proactive and preemptive responses to threats.”
The Minister added that leveraging modern technologies—such as artificial intelligence, advanced surveillance systems, and digital forensics—would boost operational efficiency. He also proposed cross-agency training exercises and joint simulations to improve synergy and build trust among security personnel.
Highlighting the complexity of Nigeria’s security threats, Gaidam noted ongoing insurgency and terrorism in the North-East, banditry and farmer-herder clashes in the North-West and North-Central, separatist movements in the South-East, and organized crime in the South-South and South-West.
“These threats are further compounded by economic disparities, governance deficits, porous borders, and the increasing sophistication of criminal networks,” he stated.
He emphasized that a multi-agency approach is no longer optional but necessary, calling on the police to deepen cooperation with the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, DSS, Civil Defence, Immigration, and Customs services.
He also highlighted the importance of involving civilians in security management through strengthened police-community relations and community policing initiatives, which he said would significantly improve intelligence gathering and public trust.
Also speaking at the event, Major General Babagana Mohammed Monguno (Rtd), who served as the guest lecturer, reiterated the critical role of military operations in restoring national security. He noted that while security operations are ongoing in all geopolitical zones, threats still persist, making it imperative to adopt a more comprehensive and strategic national response.
“Despite the successes of current operations, security threats continue to disrupt livelihoods and instill fear across the country. A coordinated, multi-sectoral approach is essential to counter these challenges effectively,” he said.
The seminar concluded with a shared commitment among stakeholders to strengthen cooperation and modernize Nigeria’s security infrastructure to respond swiftly to emerging threats.
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