The wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Monday condemned the recurring acts of violence across the country, describing them as both tragic and deeply troubling. She labeled the trend as evil and unfortunate, calling for collective action to end the bloodshed.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has attributed the worsening insecurity across Nigeria to the growing levels of poverty and hunger ravaging the country. According to him, the deepening economic hardship has become more than a social issue—it now poses a serious threat to national security.

Speaking on Monday during the opening of the 14th National Security Seminar in Abuja, General Musa—represented by Chief of Defence Training, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shetimma—warned that Nigeria’s security landscape is no longer defined solely by armed conflict but also by economic deprivation, food insecurity, and widespread displacement.

“Insecurity today is not just about guns and bullets,” Musa said. “It is also about hunger, lack of opportunity, and social collapse. Poverty and food insecurity are now national security threats.”

He cited Benue State—once the food basket of the nation—as an example of how banditry and communal violence have crippled agriculture, displaced farmers, and undermined food security. Musa urged local communities to play a greater role in security by aiding intelligence gathering and refusing sanctuary to criminal elements.

Also speaking at the event, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, emphasized the federal government’s commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty and insecurity. Represented by Major General Peter Mala, Ribadu outlined government efforts including agricultural reforms, expanded social investment programmes, and targeted security operations.

“There’s a vicious cycle between poverty and insecurity that stifles development and increases vulnerability,” Ribadu noted. “To break that cycle, we are investing in people and prioritizing inclusive security strategies.”

Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru, reinforced the call for a people-focused approach to national security. He stressed the importance of tackling root causes such as unemployment, poverty, and exclusion, and called for collective, coordinated action to resolve Nigeria’s security crisis.

Meanwhile, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu condemned the recent wave of violence across the country, describing it as “evil and deeply unfortunate.” Speaking at the second quarterly meeting of her pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), at the State House in Abuja, she called on Nigerians—especially women—to intensify prayers for peace and unity.

“As mothers, we must stand in the gap. These killings in Borno and Plateau are heartbreaking. Why now, when our country is making progress?” she asked. “This is pure evil, and we must not relent in prayer or action.”

Mrs Tinubu called on the National Assembly to provide direct funding for humanitarian and social intervention efforts being driven by her office and those of state governors’ wives. She lamented that her outreach has been largely sustained through personal donations from well-meaning Nigerians due to the absence of formal government funding.

“I don’t receive government allocations,” she said. “What I distribute to state first ladies comes from generous individuals. It’s not sustainable. We need structured legislative support.”

She appealed to her former colleagues in the Senate to create a dedicated intervention fund for First Lady-led programmes, similar to zonal intervention projects, to support community initiatives with transparency and accountability.

“We don’t want to be ceremonial figures,” she added. “We want to work, to serve, and to leave a lasting impact.”

In the wake of multiple violent incidents—including a suicide bombing in Konduga, Borno State, and a deadly explosion in Kano—the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the Northern Senators Forum (NSF) expressed deep concern and extended condolences to affected communities.

NSGF Chairman and Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, condemned the attacks, describing the resurgence of terrorism as a serious threat to regional peace and security.

Similarly, NSF Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, denounced the June 20 killing of travelers in an 18-seater bus in Mangu, Plateau State, calling it a “heinous and cowardly act” that violates constitutional rights and undermines national unity.

Yar’Adua urged security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly and called on the federal government to equip law enforcement with modern surveillance tools to combat emerging threats. He also appealed to the Plateau State Government to promote dialogue and harmony among its diverse communities.

“These senseless killings are not just an attack on lives but an assault on the ideals of peace, coexistence, and justice,” he said.