Buhari threatens to shake up security architecture
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his readiness to make more changes in the country’s security architecture to further tackle the rising insecurity in the country.
The National Security Adviser, NSA, Major-General Babagana Monguno, retd speaking with state house correspondents at the end of the National Council on Security meeting, presided over by the President at the First Lady’s Conference Room, Presidential Villa, Abuja, said the president was briefed about the current security situation in the country noting that the president made it clear he is “not ready to exit government as a failure.”
Monguno said “The last National Security Council meeting we had was on June 18. From that time till now, a lot has happened within the security domain. The President called for this meeting. And it was actually supposed to be for next week, but he drew it back for today (yesterday), for obvious reasons.
“The meeting briefed the President, on the current security situation in the country. Well, I’ll say from the last time we met till now, and all the issues that were brought before the president were mainly issues arising from the successes recorded in the theatre of operations throughout the North East.
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“It is evident that a lot of successes had been recorded. Large number of people are surrendering in the northeast as a consequence of the relentless efforts of the Armed Forces, intelligence, and security agencies.
“This is very, very evident. We’ve never had such large number of people defecting from the other side back to the Nigerian side, mainly, as a result of many issues within the theatre, issues of infighting among the various factions of the terrorist groups.
“But the new drive of the Armed Forces, the police, the intelligence agencies have been responsible for this. There’s been greatest cooperation, greater synergy, intelligence sharing, as well as our partners in the regional intelligence fusion unit.
“So the President was briefed, the President is quite happy that there’s been a tremendous success, especially with the advent of the new service chiefs and Inspector General of Police. And he’s also made it very, very clear that he’s not ready to exit government as a failure.
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“He is not going to tolerate failure and that he’s made changes and is ready to make further changes if he is not satisfied. He is completely determined to ensure that there’s a turnaround in the fortunes in the theatre of operations.
Speaking on the Plateau killings, Monguno said the president is working with the vice president and other members of council to address the issue of widespread hunger.
“We also addressed the issue of the prevailing situation, which is widespread, you know, issues of hunger. The President is not oblivious of the pains of the people and is working with the Vice-President and other members of council. He is going to implore the relevant ministries, departments and agencies. MDAs, of government to address this issue.
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“As far as this is concerned, it’s also an emergency situation that people should not be left to wallow in hunger, and in despair. This is something he is also going to look into. And he is going to use all the necessary, all the relevant tools at his disposal to address the issue of widespread hunger.
“Then also, the issue of insecurity in the northwest, which is still prevalent, even though for those of us who are within the security system, we have seen a significant drop in the number of incidents of kidnapping and banditry. Nevertheless, a lot has to be done.
“This is because, like I’ve always said in the past, as far as the people are concerned, there shouldn’t be any incident of kidnapping, banditry, and other incidents of insecurity.
“So the President is also aware of that and he has also made certain assertions which I am not willing to say right now, till he’s made the final decision on those things. But generally, the atmosphere is improving, especially in the North-Eastern part of the country. The President is very happy with the drive-in that part of the country.
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“We also addressed the issue in Plateau, the recent killings, and the President has given certain directives to address that; he has also expressed confidence in the efforts of the governor of Plateau State.”