SECURITY: FG ASSURES US OF SUSTAINED COLLABORATION

Rauf Aregbesola

"The main focus of the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration is the provision of security for Nigerians, revitalizing the economy and entrenching transparency in the affairs of Government through fighting corruption", Says Rauf  Aregbesola

Following growing security concerns in the country, the Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated its willingness to continue to collaborate with the California National Guard in the provision of internal security to Nigerians.

The Honourable Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola disclosed this today in his Office in Abuja when he received a delegation from the California National Guard, led by its Adjutant General, Major General David Baldwin.

According to a statement issued and signed by Mohammed Mnaga, Director of Press and Public Relations of the Ministry on behalf of the Minister, “the main focus of the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration is the provision of security for Nigerians, revitalizing the economy and entrenching transparency in the affairs of Government through fighting corruption.

In the statement, the Honourable Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Barr. Georgina Ehuriah, said that the Federal Government would accept the offer of assistance to boost the capacity of the Agencies under the Ministry in the areas of tactical security training as well as national disaster management. 

Emphasizing that transnational crimes can best be dealt with if countries realize that crime has become complex to handle and require joint efforts, Aregbesola therefore, appealed to the US Government to support the Nigerian Government in its determination to rid the country of armed banditry, kidnapping, insurgency, rape and other transnational crimes through capacity building of personnel of the Services under the Ministry, particularly in the area of intelligence gathering and provision of modern equipment to fight and combat any form of crime and criminality.

Earlier, the Adjutant General, California National Guard, Major General David Baldwin expressed their willingness to continue to support Nigeria by providing relevant professional expertise to the Services under the Ministry in order to rid the country of all forms of insecurity like armed banditry, kidnapping and other social vices as well as natural disasters.

He assured that the US Government will continue to collaborate with the Nigerian Government in its fight against crime so as to ensure internal security in line with the policy thrust of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration.