President Muhammadu Buhari, has ordered security agencies to intensify surveillance and patrol activities along the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed this to State House Correspondents on Thursday after the National Security Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Aregbesola also disclosed that the government was impressed by the recently concluded governorship election in Anambra State, which saw the emergence of the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Charles Soludo, as the governor-elect.
He stated, “The police and other security agencies have been mobilised to intensify surveillance, patrol and pursuit of the criminals. And it’s not only about the Abuja-Kaduna road.
“Yes, the Abuja-Kaduna belt was discussed specifically, but we appreciate the fact that we are in the season of festivity. So, all agencies are committed to providing security for Nigeria and the maintenance of law and order.
“They have been ordered to improve their activities, intensify surveillance and minimise, if not eliminate, any threat to law and order anywhere in Nigeria.”
The minister said the police force was the lead agency on internal security, and as such, the maintenance of law and order would start with the police and then extend to all the other security agencies.
“The President was particularly happy that a free and fair governorship election held in Anambra and he was quite happy that the combination of INEC and the security agencies, from the military to the police and all the other agencies, made that possible with the support of the people of Anambra and the government of Anambra. And we all saw the outcome.”
He said with the successes recorded, there was no doubt as to the regime’s commitment to promoting democracy and ensuring that 2023 elections were not threatened.
Speaking further, the minister added that the council was briefed about the election of a Nigerian, Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Garba Umaru, who emerged out of four other candidates as the Vice-President of Interpol for Africa.
He stated, “This means that a Nigerian today represents the 54 African nations at the Interpol level.
“The election took place a couple of hours ago. And he emerged as the vice-president of Interpol in Africa. That too was discussed, appreciated and applauded.”
Before the commencement of the meeting, the President, assisted by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, decorated his Aide-De-Camp, Lt Col Yusuf Dodo, with his new rank of Colonel.