In the midst of rising nationwide security challenges, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed military and security agencies to immediately rescue all those held hostage by kidnappers and terrorists.
National Security Adviser (NSA) Major-General Babagana Monguno(retd) disclosed this Thursday in Abuja while briefing State House correspondents at the end of Security Council meeting presided over by President Buhari.
“The President spoke about his sadness in respect of recent security challenges and developments we have had in the country, in particular the incident in which several Nigerians lost their lives with many more taken into captivity by criminals and bandits.
“Not just those that were captured during the last Kaduna –bound train incident but those that have been in captivity in other parts of the country.
“The President has directed all the operational and intelligence elements to rescue all of these innocent people immediately and unhurt. This is the basis in which other issues were discussed. The Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police all briefed the President on occurrences in their respective organizations,” he said.
The NSA said he briefed the Security Council on recommendations on how to tackle the security challenges confronting the nation, which the President is carefully considering.
“I submitted a memo to Council and my recommendations are being looked into by the President. My recommendations are wide ranging and they touch on all aspects of security, starting with the level of security of our land borders as well as within the country itself,” he said.
He said decisive steps were being taken to secure all the land borders of the country in order to address the threats coming from outside such borders.
Monguno said the threats had now shifted from the North-Eastern part of the country to the North-West and North-Central and must be contained.
“It has to be contained collectively by both the Armed Forces and constabulary forces, but the intelligence agencies have also been directed to enhance the acquisition of intelligence,” he said.
The NSA further said the present situation in the country calls for collective efforts by all, not only those charged with the responsibility of physically securing the country.
“Unless the wider society, right down to the Local Governments are willing to give the type of information needed in order to block the activities of these criminals, this situation will continue to linger beyond whatever timeframe we are looking at towards ending this problem,” he said.
Technology
He also spoke on reasons it’s been difficult to deploy technology, especially in some areas where the military had challenges.
“One, technology is expensive. Technology takes time to acquire these things. Since inherently we do not produce this very, very delicate equipment. It’s not as if the government is not making any effort to acquire, but we need to know who to acquire this technology from, where, when and there are certain processes.
“For now, I know we have but the plight is that they are inadequate, so to the government, it’s a continuous process. That’s what I can say about the issue of deploying technology,” he said.
El-Rufai’s comments
The NSA also expressed concern over comments by Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state in respect of the activities of bandits, saying divulging classified information endangers the victims and aids the kidnappers.
He said the governor’s comments could compromise the security situation as the bandits could relocate to other destinations if they knew their current hideouts were known.
“Governor, Nasir El-Rufai spoke about the security agencies saying we know who they are, where they are. Again, that is the danger. When you start talking too much, you give away a lot, I agree. Now, even if they say we know where they are, that in itself is already a problem because once you say it, whether it is true or false, the person who has your people in captivity will move to another location. It’s just as simple as that. So sometimes is best to just keep silent, mum is the word,” he said.
Royal fathers’ role in security
In a related development, President Buhari has said no responsive government can ignore the role of religious and traditional rulers in tackling insecurity in the country.
Speaking Thursday in Abuja at an Iftar with religious and traditional rulers, the President said his administration would continue to count on the invaluable advice and guidance of members of the revered institutions towards improving the current security challenges in the country.
The President said moving Nigeria forward remains a collective responsibility, urging leaders at all levels to contribute meaningfully in making the country a better place.
”Today, insecurity is one of the greatest challenges facing Nigeria’s existence. This administration has invested more resources than any other to tackle insecurity.
”We have acquired advanced equipment for our armed forces and the police to strengthen their capacity to confront terrorism and banditry. We have made adequate budgetary allocations for security.
”Whatever the security agencies request, I make it available to them immediately. But insecurity is a world-wide phenomenon. The cure and the answer is for all sections of society to do their bit and confront the criminals head-on.
”The success of our armed and other security forces also depends on intelligence about the activities of bandits and terrorists. Those aiding and abetting terrorists are helping to destroy their own communities.
”Our traditional and religious leaders have a key role to play in terms of improving intelligence gathering about the movement of and activities of criminals in their domain,” he said.
Stressing that the challenges confronting the country were surmountable, the President recounted that when this administration came on board in 2015, the local governments occupied and controlled by insurgent terrorists were recovered through the determined efforts of government and cooperation of local leadership.
”A similar effort is required now for all localities to work in full cooperation with security agents and Insha Allah we shall see the back of this problem soon,” he said.
Ooni speaks
Speaking on behalf of the royal fathers, Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi commended the Buhari administration’s timely response in curtailing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, noting that it was symbolic that when the country looks inward it can surmount many of its challenges.
”Mr President, thank you for inviting us for Iftar. I remember vividly that last year we couldn’t meet to break the Ramadan fast because of the COVID-19 pandemic and we pray that such will never come our way again,” he said.
The Ooni of Ife urged Nigerians to use the Holy month of Ramadan to always strive for unity, and celebrate the strength in Nigeria’s diversity.
”We have so many positives to celebrate in our country. Yes there are challenges but let us look more on our strengths than our weaknesses,” he said.
Also speaking, General Secretary Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Joseph Daramola said he believed ”God is at work in Nigeria.”
Daramola noted that there were spiritual lessons to learn on nation building from the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan and the Christian Lenten period that just ended with the Easter celebration.
”The power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is able to bring our nation back to life, making every situation that looks impossible, possible,” he said.
