President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the ongoing restructuring of the nation’s security architecture will soon yield positive results, despite persistent challenges across several parts of the country.

The President gave the assurance on Friday while receiving a delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, at his Lagos residence. The meeting was disclosed in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.

Tinubu said his administration was committed to introducing state and community policing as part of broader efforts to change Nigeria’s security narrative and tackle insecurity more effectively at the grassroots.

He urged CAN and other faith-based organisations to collaborate with the government, noting that some of the security measures already initiated required time to mature before their full impact could be felt.

According to the President, while the general mood of the nation remains peaceful, vast ungoverned spaces continue to pose serious security concerns, stressing that the challenge was real but surmountable.

“Our ungoverned spaces are large. The challenge is real, but we will overcome it. We are a religious nation and prayer warriors. What we need is your focus, vigilance and cooperation,” Tinubu said.

He explained that the establishment of state and community police would become a reality once the National Assembly concludes the necessary legislative processes, adding that strengthening military capacity also comes with logistical and financial constraints.

Tinubu disclosed that orders for four attack helicopters from the United States were underway but would take time to be delivered, while Nigeria had also approached Turkey for support in boosting its security capabilities.

The President acknowledged that delays in acquiring military hardware could negatively affect public perception of his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity, but insisted that efforts to restore peace and stability had not waned.

He said the government remained determined to confront banditry and insurgency, despite the guerrilla tactics employed by criminal groups.

Commenting on the recent abduction and subsequent release of schoolchildren in Niger and Kebbi states, Tinubu called for increased vigilance, stressing that the safe return of the children was the priority.

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

In his response, CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh assured the President of the association’s continued support, describing Tinubu as “our President” and affirming the Church’s commitment to the success of his administration.

Okoh also acknowledged the receipt of palliatives usually extended to CAN during religious festivals and beyond, and commended Tinubu’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s socio-economic and security challenges.

While noting that the task before the President was daunting, the CAN leader said the Christian community had confidence in his leadership and was determined to work with the government to ensure success.

He further appealed for direct engagement between the Presidency and CAN through its established structures across the country’s 774 local government areas, and requested the release of funds to the Christian Pilgrims’ Board to enable it to carry out its mandate.

Other members of the delegation included CAN Vice President, Rev. Dr. Stephen Panya Baba; President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Francis Wale Oke; representatives of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches, the Catholic and Methodist blocs, as well as the Lagos State CAN Chairman, Bishop Stephen Adegbite.