Tinubu vows safer Nigeria, pushes for state policing as CAN lauds Christmas without attacks

In a bold reaffirmation of his administration’s security drive, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday declared that Nigeria’s ongoing security overhaul would soon begin to restore citizens’ confidence, stressing that community and state policing will no longer remain a mere proposal.

President Tinubu made the assurance while hosting a high-powered delegation from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, at his residence in Lagos.

“We are recalibrating our entire security architecture. The mood of the nation is peaceful, although our ungoverned spaces are so large. The challenge is real, but we will surmount it,” the President said, according to a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.

The President reiterated his firm commitment to comprehensive reforms within the security sector, including the establishment of state and community police units to better tackle localised threats.

“Community and State Police will be a reality once the National Assembly completes the required legislative inputs,” he assured.

Tinubu called on religious leaders across the country to join hands with the government, especially through vigilance, moral leadership, and prayers.

“We are very religious. We are prayer warriors. We need your focus, vigilance and cooperation,” he told the CAN leadership.

On the challenges facing the armed forces, Tinubu pointed out that delays in the delivery of military equipment were impacting public perception, but insisted that steps were being taken to address this.

“Military hardware is difficult to replace. It is expensive and not available off the shelf. Our orders for four attack helicopters from the United States of America will take some time to arrive. We have approached Turkey for assistance,” he disclosed.

He acknowledged that despite persistent attacks from bandits and insurgents, his government was unrelenting in its drive to restore peace to all corners of the country.

Touching on the recent release of schoolchildren abducted in Niger and Kebbi States, Tinubu maintained that the priority was always the safety of the victims.

“The rhetoric on how the children were released or what happened to the kidnappers is secondary; the end justifies the means,” he said.

In a rare public endorsement, CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh pledged the Church’s unwavering support for the Tinubu administration.

“You are our President. The Church has no choice but to support you and your administration,” Okoh said.

He lauded the administration’s efforts, saying the 2025 Christmas season was the most peaceful in recent memory.

“This Christmas happened to be the first in many years that we were not woken up by midnight calls reporting attacks on churches,” he noted.

Okoh also commended Tinubu’s open-door policy toward religious organisations, stating that the renewed engagement had fostered mutual trust.

“Your commitment has closed the gap between the government and the Church. This has never happened before,” he added.

The CAN President appealed for more structured engagement with faith groups through CAN’s presence in all 774 local government areas. He also called for financial support for the Christian Pilgrims’ Board.

The CAN delegation included key Christian leaders from various denominations, such as Rev. Dr Stephen Panya Baba (Vice President of CAN), Bishop Francis Wale Oke (President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria), as well as representatives from the Catholic, Methodist, and African Instituted Churches.

As Tinubu doubles down on state policing and faith-based partnership, the visit marked a rare moment of alignment between government and the Church in Nigeria’s search for lasting peace.