The Presidential Community Engagement Team has held talks with the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), and top officials of the ministry, seeking closer collaboration on community-based and non-kinetic security strategies across the country.

The session led by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central), Dr. Abiodun Essiet, centred on expanding citizen participation as a vital tool for addressing persistent and emerging security concerns nationwide.

Also present were the Senior Special Assistants on Community Engagement for the North-West, Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai; South-East, Chioma Nweze; and South-West, Moremi Ojudu, reflecting a broad regional representation in the discussions.

Participants highlighted the importance of leveraging grassroots structures to improve intelligence flow, enhance awareness of government security interventions, channel community feedback to authorities, and rebuild public confidence in security institutions.

The two sides resolved to establish a joint working group and organise regional security summits bringing together federal, state and local officials alongside community stakeholders to encourage dialogue and timely response to citizens’ concerns.

They also agreed to maintain a direct communication line between the Ministry of Defence and the Presidential Community Engagement Team to sustain coordination.

The partnership is expected to prioritise constructive engagement with non-state actors, youth-oriented initiatives to deter involvement in violent or unlawful activities, and broader programmes aimed at tackling the socio-economic drivers of insecurity while strengthening trust between government and the populace.

The Presidential Community Engagement structure was created in September 2023 following the appointment of six Senior Special Assistants, one per geopolitical zone, to promote grassroots dialogue, policy awareness and feedback channels in support of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. (The Guardian)