President Bola Tinubu urges traditional and religious leaders in Nigeria’s North-Central region to strengthen collaboration with the government and security agencies to fight insecurity and build lasting peace. He makes the call at the 2026 North-Central Regional Security Summit in Makurdi, Benue State, speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
Tinubu emphasizes that traditional rulers and faith leaders are positioned to provide early warning and reconciliation because of their close ties to communities. He says they can detect emerging threats and help prevent disputes from escalating, and he calls on citizens to share intelligence with security agencies while not shielding criminals based on kinship or sentiment. He also argues that military action alone is insufficient, and that social, economic, and environmental drivers of insecurity must be addressed.
Both outlets frame the appeal around coordinated efforts involving communities, youth, women, development partners, and the private sector. While Nigeria Eye details the role of leaders as “first line of early warning” and highlights security architecture reforms and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Punch similarly reports the central message: deeper partnership between local authorities and security institutions is needed to improve peace and safety.
