Reported by: Althiea .P | Edited by: Bornet .k
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has assured Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu's administration is treating security as its highest priority, expressing confidence that the country's security challenges will eventually be overcome as military operations against terrorist groups continue across several regions.
Akpabio made the remarks on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, while receiving members of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria, led by its National President, Dr. Lima Ahmed, during a courtesy visit to his office at the National Assembly in Abuja. According to a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, the Senate President said the Federal Government has intensified efforts to restore peace and protect lives and property nationwide.
Addressing concerns over persistent insecurity, Akpabio said President Tinubu was giving the situation "utmost attention," pointing to the recent rescue of abducted schoolchildren in Oyo State as evidence of the government's commitment to tackling terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes. He urged Nigerians not to rely solely on social media narratives, arguing that they do not always reflect the full security situation across the country.
The Senate President maintained that the administration remains committed to strengthening the capabilities of the Armed Forces and security agencies, noting that sustained military operations are aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and restoring stability to affected communities. His remarks come amid a series of security meetings chaired by President Tinubu in Abuja, where military and intelligence chiefs reviewed ongoing operations and strategies to combat terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
Akpabio also addressed women's participation in politics, suggesting that greater support for female candidates would require continued confidence in women occupying public offices. He reaffirmed the Senate's support for initiatives promoting women's development and accepted his decoration as Grand Patron of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria ahead of its forthcoming international tournament at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja.
Meanwhile, the Defence Industry Association of Nigeria (DIAN) has elected a new Executive Committee to drive indigenous defence manufacturing and reduce the country's dependence on imported military equipment. Major General B. I. Alaya of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) emerged as Chairman of the association, alongside other executives drawn from the defence and security industry.
The association said its new leadership would focus on expanding local defence production, strengthening technology partnerships and supporting Nigeria's growing security requirements through increased domestic manufacturing capacity.
In a related development, the House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to establish structured financial support for Nigerian drone manufacturers, including Beirech UAS, Terra Industries, Pro-force and the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), to enhance local production for military and security operations.
Lawmakers adopted a motion seeking the development of a National Drone Industrialisation Policy, arguing that increased local production of unmanned aerial systems would strengthen Nigeria's defence capabilities while reducing reliance on imported equipment.
The House directed its Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence, Science and Technology, and Industry and Commerce to work towards developing a comprehensive framework to support indigenous drone manufacturing.
On the battlefield, troops of Operation Hadin Kai recorded another operational success with the reported elimination of Abu Salim al-Barnawi, identified by the military as ISWAP's chief photographer and propaganda operative, during a failed terrorist attack in the North-East.
According to the military, Abu Salim, who previously led cross-border terrorist raids before becoming part of the group's media team, was killed alongside other members responsible for documenting attacks and producing propaganda intended to recruit new members.
Military authorities said the operation also resulted in the deaths of several other high-profile terrorist operatives, including foreign fighters, describing the development as a significant setback for the group's operational and propaganda capabilities.
Nigeria has continued to intensify counter-terrorism operations across several theatres of operation as security agencies confront insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, kidnapping in the North-Central and other violent crimes affecting different parts of the country.
The Federal Government has repeatedly stated that improving national security remains central to its agenda, with investments in intelligence gathering, technology-driven operations and modern military equipment forming part of broader efforts to restore peace and strengthen public confidence in the country's security architecture.
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