Enderline Chukwu, Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Defence, said in a statement that the Ministry remains committed to a collaborative approach to national security. The press release, dated 16th December 2025, was issued to highlight recent engagements with stakeholders.
The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, MON, told a delegation from the National Forum of Former Legislatures during a courtesy visit on Tuesday at the Ministry’s headquarters, Ship House, Abuja, that safeguarding the nation goes beyond the efforts of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces alone. “Public concerns and criticisms are understandable within a democratic society, but the importance of situating these challenges within their proper historical and operational context is paramount,” he said.
Matawalle added that under the current administration the Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with the Armed Forces and other security agencies, continues to confront security challenges through renewed strategies, enhanced inter‑agency collaboration, operations and sustained capacity building. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening national security through sustained collaboration between the Executive and Legislative arms of government and stressed that addressing Nigeria’s security challenges requires a holistic approach that combines kinetic operations and non‑kinetic strategies such as intelligence sharing and effective legislative oversight.
The leader of the delegation, Honourable Raphael Nnanna Ibekwe, said they were in the ministry to identify with its achievements and to acknowledge the challenges it faces. “We are using this opportunity to call on Nigerians to support the ministry, the government and security agencies in making sure that emergency security threats are flushed out,” he said. He pledged that the former legislators would lend their expertise, particularly in non‑kinetic approaches, to assist the Ministry in securing the nation.
Chukwu noted that the forum commended the Ministry for its continued interest in national security matters and assured that the Ministry is ready to work closely with former legislators and relevant institutions to ensure a safer Nigeria. Enderline Chukwu further stated that the Ministry values the experience and institutional knowledge of former legislators in shaping policies that promote peace, stability and national cohesion. The press release concluded with an invitation for continued partnership to achieve a secure and prosperous Nigeria.
