FG Deepens Security Measures to Protect Diaspora Visits, Says Defence Minister

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening national security and creating a safer environment for Nigerians in the diaspora visiting the country, Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), has said.

Musa gave the assurance during an interactive engagement with members of the Nigerian community in Angola on the sidelines of the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in Luanda.

The Nigerian delegation to the AU summit was led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The engagement provided an opportunity for government officials to hear directly from Nigerians living in Angola and respond to concerns affecting the diaspora community.

Also present were the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and the Acting Chargé d’Affaires of the Nigerian Mission in Angola, Ambassador Maxy Ogbede.

The Defence Minister commended Nigerians in Angola for maintaining a cordial relationship with the Nigerian diplomatic mission and assured them of the Federal Government’s determination to address security challenges across the country.

He said the administration was strengthening the numerical capacity and operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces and other security agencies as part of efforts to neutralise emerging threats.

“Every sector is receiving targeted interventions to enhance our national security framework,” Musa said.

According to him, some of Nigeria’s security challenges are linked to instability in the Sahel region, with the effects spilling across national borders.

He, however, said the government was implementing comprehensive border management measures to prevent such threats from infiltrating the country.

Musa also stressed the importance of reliable data in shaping national security policies and development planning, assuring Nigerians that efforts to achieve sustainable peace and stability remained ongoing.

On his part, the Minister of Interior, Tunji-Ojo, said the government had strengthened data protection and identity management systems, while improved collaboration among security and government agencies was producing measurable results.

Dabiri-Erewa, in her remarks, assured Nigerians in the diaspora that NiDCOM remained committed to protecting their interests, supporting their welfare and creating opportunities for them to contribute to national development.

The engagement underscored the Federal Government’s broader effort to deepen its relationship with Nigerians abroad while addressing security and administrative concerns that could affect their return visits and participation in Nigeria’s development.