The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Mohammed Bello Matawalle, has praised the Nigerian Armed Forces for their significant achievements in combating insurgency, banditry, and other security threats under the current administration.
He attributed the limited public knowledge of these accomplishments to strategic security measures aimed at protecting military personnel in the field.
Dr. Matawalle made these remarks during a meeting with Hadiza Bala Usman, the Special Assistant to the President on Policy and Coordination and Head of the Central Result Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU).
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja, featured the presentation of the 2024 Performance Assessment Report for the first three quarters, which highlighted the implementation of presidential priorities and ministerial deliverables.
The Minister noted a significant reduction in incidents such as oil theft, bunkering, piracy, and kidnapping, attributing this to the administration’s concerted efforts.
He reassured Nigerians of the government’s commitment to enhancing safety across the country, adding that more progress is on the horizon.
During the engagement, Hadiza Bala Usman urged the Ministry to increase transparency and public awareness of its achievements to counter misinformation and enhance public trust.
She recommended conducting regional tours of troubled areas to gather firsthand accounts from rescued individuals as evidence of the Armed Forces’ successes.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, also provided an overview of the Ministry’s accomplishments, commending the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for their relentless efforts.
He expressed confidence that the Ministry would exceed its performance in subsequent quarters and urged directors to remain steadfast in their dedication to national service.
The Ministry pledged to improve data dissemination and timely reporting to showcase the strides made in securing Nigeria and maintaining public confidence in the Armed Forces.
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