Defence Minister tasks security, intelligence agencies on enhanced collaboration

The Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, has ordered security and intelligence agencies to end “silo operations” and immediately integrate their intelligence-sharing efforts to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges.

Musa gave the directive at a meeting with members of the intelligence community on Thursday in Abuja.

The Minister noted that while agencies have been effective individually, their fragmented approach reduces their overall impact on national security.

He stressed the need for real-time, actionable intelligence to allow troops to react promptly and decisively in the field.

“We all know the importance of intelligence, particularly in asymmetric warfare, where threats come both from within and outside our borders.

“What we have observed is that, while we have been operating effectively, much of our work has been in silos.

“It is high time we integrate these efforts so that all actions are coordinated and impactful,” Musa said.

He added that the President had directed enhanced jointness in operations, stressing that every service and agency must work collaboratively to improve national security.

“Jointness means every service and agency is important; none is irrelevant. Intelligence—whether human or technical—must be harnessed collectively to provide better leverage,” he stated.

The minister explained that the meeting was convened to strengthen collaboration, build collective capacity, and ensure intelligence gathered across agencies was effectively applied in operations.

“Asymmetric warfare is largely a warfare of intelligence. Without intelligence, we operate blindly.

“Unlike conventional warfare, threats are often unidentified, and even those close to us may be potential adversaries,” he said.

Musa also urged Nigerians to support security agencies with timely and credible information, noting that improved human intelligence would enhance operational effectiveness and national security.

“We must explore all means to enhance human intelligence and ensure that Nigerians understand their role in promptly providing relevant information so that timely action can be taken.

“This will strengthen our national security and operational effectiveness,” Musa said.

He assured that the Ministry of Defence would support intelligence agencies and facilitate better coordination to strengthen troops’ capabilities in the field.

Nigeria has continued to battle insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and other security threats, with authorities increasingly emphasising improved intelligence sharing and joint operations among security agencies to enhance response and effectiveness.