President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the ongoing recalibration of the country’s security architecture will soon deliver tangible results capable of restoring public confidence, as his administration intensifies reforms across the security sector.
Tinubu gave the assurance on Friday while receiving a delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by its president, Daniel Okoh, at his Lagos residence. The meeting was disclosed in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.
The President said his government remains firmly committed to comprehensive security sector reforms, including the establishment of state and community policing structures to confront emerging threats across the country.
“The mood of the nation is peaceful, although our ungoverned spaces are so large. The challenge is real, but we will surmount it,” Tinubu said.
He called on religious leaders to complement government efforts through cooperation, vigilance and sustained prayers, stressing that certain security interventions require time to mature before yielding visible outcomes.
“We are very religious. We are prayer warriors. We need your focus, vigilance and cooperation,” the president said.
Tinubu explained that the long-anticipated introduction of state and community policing would become a reality once the National Assembly concludes the necessary legislative processes.
“Community and State Police will be a reality once the National Assembly completes the required legislative inputs,” he said.
Addressing public concerns over perceived delays in strengthening military capacity, the President noted that the procurement of military hardware is capital-intensive and time-consuming, as such equipment is neither cheap nor readily available.
“Military hardware is difficult to replace. It is expensive and not available off the shelf,” Tinubu stated.
He disclosed that Nigeria has ordered four attack helicopters from the United States of America, while also engaging Turkey for additional defence support.
“Our orders for four attack helicopters from the United States of America will take some time to arrive. We have approached Turkey for assistance,” he added.
Despite the guerrilla tactics employed by bandits and insurgents, Tinubu said his administration remains resolute, insisting that the restoration of peace and security remains a top national priority.
Commenting on the recent abduction and subsequent release of schoolchildren in Niger and Kebbi states, the President urged heightened vigilance, emphasising that the safety of victims must always come first.
“The rhetoric on how the children were released or what happened to the kidnappers is secondary; the end justifies the means,” he said.
In his response, CAN President Okoh reaffirmed the Christian community’s support for the Tinubu administration, describing such backing as both necessary and patriotic.
“You are our President. The Church has no choice but to support you and your administration,” Okoh said.
He commended the government’s security efforts, noting that the 2025 Christmas season was remarkably peaceful compared to previous years.
“This Christmas happened to be the first in many years that we were not woken up by midnight calls reporting attacks on churches,” he said.
Okoh also praised Tinubu’s sustained engagement with religious bodies, saying it had significantly strengthened trust between the government and the Church.
“Your commitment has closed the gap between the government and the Church. This has never happened before,” he said.
The CAN President further appealed for continued engagement through CAN’s structures across the 774 local government areas and requested the release of funds to the Christian Pilgrims’ Board.
Other members of the delegation included CAN Vice President, Rev. Dr Stephen Panya Baba; President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Francis Wale Oke; and representatives of the Catholic, Methodist and African Instituted Churches
