Insecurity: Defence Minister Orders Intelligence Sharing Among Security Agencies

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, on Thursday called for an end to silo operations among Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies, stressing the need for integrated intelligence to effectively tackle the country’s growing security challenges.

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He made the call during a meeting with members of the intelligence community in Abuja.

Musa noted that although various security agencies had been making efforts to address threats, their operations were often fragmented, limiting overall effectiveness.

“We all know the importance of intelligence, particularly in asymmetric warfare, where threats come both from within and outside our borders. What we have observed is that, while we have been operating effectively, much of our work has been in silos. It is high time we integrate these efforts so that all actions are coordinated and impactful,” he said.

The minister disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had directed improved collaboration across all security services, emphasising that no agency should operate in isolation.

“Jointness means every service and agency is important; none is irrelevant. Intelligence, whether human or technical, must be harnessed collectively to provide better leverage,” he stated.

Musa explained that the meeting was convened to deepen collaboration, build collective capacity, and ensure that intelligence gathered across agencies is effectively utilised in field operations.

“Asymmetric warfare is largely a warfare of intelligence. Without intelligence, we operate blindly. Unlike conventional warfare, threats are often unidentified, and even those close to us may be potential adversaries,” he said.

The Defence Minister also called on Nigerians to support security agencies with timely and credible information, noting that human intelligence remains a critical component of national security.

“We must explore all means to enhance human intelligence and ensure that Nigerians understand their role in promptly providing relevant information so that timely action can be taken. This will strengthen our national security and operational effectiveness,” Musa added.

He assured that the Ministry of Defence would continue to support intelligence agencies and promote better coordination to enhance the capabilities of troops in the field.

Nigeria has continued to grapple with multiple security challenges, including insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping.