By Joy Odor Reportcircle News
Nigeria’s security challenge cannot be solved from the barracks alone.
That was the blunt message from the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, as he pushed back against growing public anxiety over insecurity and laid out a broader, people-driven strategy that places citizens, communities and policymakers at the heart of national defence.
Speaking on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja, Matawalle made the remarks while receiving the National Forum of Former Legislators on a courtesy visit, a meeting that quickly turned into a sober reflection on the limits of firepower in confronting modern threats.
“Security is a collective responsibility,” the minister declared, stressing that the task of safeguarding Nigeria extends far beyond the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces. According to him, public cooperation, timely intelligence sharing and community vigilance now rank as critical assets in the fight against insecurity.
Matawalle acknowledged the complexity of managing national security in an era marked by asymmetric warfare, regional instability and evolving criminal networks.
While public criticism of government efforts is inevitable in a democracy, he urged Nigerians to assess security challenges within their proper historical and operational context.
Under the current administration, he said, the Ministry of Defence working alongside the Armed Forces and other security agencies has intensified its response through renewed strategies, deeper inter-agency coordination and sustained capacity building, all aimed at protecting lives and securing vulnerable communities.
But the minister was clear: military operations alone will not deliver lasting peace.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to a collaborative security framework, Matawalle emphasised the need for stronger synergy between the Executive and Legislative arms of government.
He argued that Nigeria’s security problems demand a holistic blend of kinetic force and non-kinetic tools, including intelligence-driven operations, community engagement and robust legislative oversight.
In that context, he called on former lawmakers to bring their experience and institutional memory to bear on policy formulation, describing them as a valuable resource in shaping strategies that promote peace, stability and national cohesion.
He commended the forum for its sustained interest in national security matters and assured its members of the ministry’s readiness to work closely with them and other institutions in the pursuit of a safer Nigeria.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Hon. Raphael Nnanna Ibekwe, said the visit was both symbolic and practical.
He noted that the forum was aware of the enormity of the challenges confronting the Ministry of Defence and shared the belief that security is a shared national duty.
Ibekwe used the occasion to urge Nigerians to support the government and security agencies, particularly by helping to identify and flush out emerging security threats.
He encouraged the ministry to remain focused on delivering the President’s security agenda and pledged the forum’s support especially in non-kinetic areas where its members include seasoned security experts.
“We are here to lend ourselves in any way we can,” he said, adding that the visit was also a show of confidence in Matawalle’s leadership and track record.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with persistent security pressures, the message from the Defence Ministry was unmistakable: the next phase of national security will be won not only on the battlefield, but in communities, institutions and the collective resolve of citizens themselves.
