Nigeria: Yuguda Demands Tighter Border Security, Says Terror Influx Worsens Insecurity

By Hussein Yahaya

The Federal Government has been urged to step up border security, surveillance, and regional intelligence cooperation to counter external security pressures threatening peace and stability across the country.

The call was made by Dr. Isa Yuguda, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the APC Professionals Forum, during the second edition of the forum's Policy Roundtable on Tuesday in Abuja.

Speaking on national security under the theme "Dissecting the Renewed Hope Deliverables & Achievements,"

Dr. Yuguda highlighted that while the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has increased funding and modern equipment for defense forces, external factors continue to complicate internal security operations.

Dr. Yuguda noted that instability in neighboring West African countries, combined with porous border corridors, has enabled armed groups and criminal syndicates to cross into Nigerian territory, perpetrating violence and infiltrating local communities.

"Nigeria continues to confront serious security challenges arising partly from instability in some neighbouring countries, porous borders, and the cross-border movement of armed groups and criminal networks into Nigerian territory, " Dr. Yuguda said.

"These external pressures have complicated the Federal Government's security efforts and, in some instances, enabled terrorist and criminal elements to infiltrate communities and perpetrate violence.

" The former Bauchi State Governor attributed recent operational gains in security to fiscal headroom generated by major economic reforms--specifically the removal of the petrol subsidy, which has freed up over ₦15 trillion for federal and state allocations. Dr. Yuguda emphasized that a substantial portion of these saved funds has been directed into defense infrastructure, equipping the armed forces and security agencies to better safeguard lives, property, and critical national assets.

To consolidate current progress and neutralize cross-border threats ahead of the 2027 political cycle, the APC Professionals Forum recommended key operational priorities for the administration including border strengthening, regional security cooperation and enhanced intelligence gathering.

Read the original article on Daily Trust.