By MUHYIDEEN JIMOH

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to strengthen homeland security through a unified surveillance system, enhanced border protection and improved national crisis response mechanisms.

The Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, retired Maj.-Gen. Adeyinka Famadewa, disclosed the plans in a statement on Friday following a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja.

The maiden Homeland Security Stakeholders’ Meeting brought together heads and representatives of key ministries, departments, agencies, security institutions and other critical partners.

Discussions focused on strengthening coordination across government security structures.

Famadewa reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to building a secure, resilient and technology-driven homeland security architecture across the country.

He stressed that achieving the objective would require stronger collaboration, intelligence sharing and coordinated action among all relevant institutions.

“Achieving this objective requires sustained collaboration, intelligence sharing and coordinated action across all relevant institutions,” Famadewa said.

The presidential aide emphasised that his office was established to complement existing security structures rather than duplicate or replace ongoing operations.

He commended the armed forces and other security agencies for their sacrifices in restoring peace, stability and public confidence in affected areas.

The meeting also served as an avenue to familiarise stakeholders with the office’s mandate and outline its current strategic priorities.

Participants examined plans for implementing a Unified Surveillance Programme aimed at improving threat detection and strengthening national security monitoring capabilities.

Deliberations also focused on strengthening identity management systems and limiting the exploitation of anonymous platforms by criminal elements.

Stakeholders reviewed strategies for enhancing border security through improved inter-agency coordination, technology deployment and intelligence-driven operations.

Discussions further centred on developing more effective early warning, crisis reporting and emergency response mechanisms nationwide.

Participants agreed that timely threat detection and rapid response capabilities were critical to improving public safety and national resilience.

The meeting resolved to establish stronger coordination mechanisms, sustain regular engagements and develop actionable frameworks supporting national security objectives.

Among those present were the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Office, and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service.

Also in attendance were the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service and the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Director-General of the Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience attended.

Representatives of the armed forces, intelligence agencies and other strategic stakeholders also participated in the meeting’s deliberations and resolutions. (NAN)

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