President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed delight with recent successes recorded by the Nigerian Armed Forces at the theatre of operation in the North-East, where many insurgents are surrendering.
National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Major General Babagana Monguno disclosed this on Thursday, while briefing State House Correspondents at the end of a meeting between the President and Security Chiefs.
He warned the security chiefs that he is not prepared to exit office as a failure and he is prepared to make fresh changes if necessary to turn things around in the various theatres of operation in the ongoing war against insurgents.
The meeting with heads of security agencies was to receive updates on security operations around the country.
He revealed that all the issues brought before the President centered mainly on the successes recorded in the operations in the Northeast.
According to Monguno, “the meeting briefed Mr. 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.
It is evident that a lot of successes have been recorded. Large numbers of people are surrendering in the north east 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 numbers 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 with the new drive of the Armed Forces, the police and the intelligence agencies, there’s been greater cooperation, greater synergy and 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 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. He is not going to tolerate 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.”
The National Security Adviser added that large numbers of Boko Haram members are surrendering in the north east, noting, “never had such large numbers leave the terrorist camp, owing to the relentless activity of the security agencies.”
Issue of Hunger
The NSA who stated that there is good cooperation, synergy and intelligence-sharing among the armed forces, said President Buhari was happy with the briefs he received.
Monguno told Journalists that the meeting assessed the biting situation of hunger across the country and the President assured citizens that urgent steps would be taken to ameliorate the situation.
“We also address the issue of the prevailing situation, which is widespread, you know, issues of hunger. The President is not oblivious to the pains of the people, and is working with the Vice President and other members of council, is going to employ the relevant ministries, departments and agencies of government to address this issue.
“As far as he’s concerned, it’s also an emergency situation that people should not be left to wallow in hunger, and in despair, this is something that he’s also going to look into. And he’s going to use all the necessary and relevant tools at his disposal to address the issue of widespread hunger,” he said.
Security of lives and property
Monguno added that the issue of insecurity in the North-West was also looked at, with a view of securing lives and property.
“And then also the issue of insecurity in the northwest, which is still, 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. Because like I’ve always said in the past, as far as the people are concerned, there shouldn’t be any incidents 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, very happy with the drive in that part of the country.“
Recent Plateau Killings
On the recent killings in Plateau State, North-Central Nigeria, the NSA said:
“We also address the issue in Plateau State, the recent killings and the President has given certain directives to address that and he also expressed confidence in the efforts of the Governor of Plateau.”
Asked if there are plans for those who are surrendering, the NSA said: “Yes, there are plans. But I don’t want to immediately divulge what has been decided on those plans till the President takes a firm decision on the plans.
“But definitely that is one of the things that he intends to address, the number of people coming. And it’s not just in Nigeria, even in northern Cameroon, you have equally large numbers of people, surrendering to the bonafide agencies of government. But that is all as a consequence of the regional cooperation between the various countries and the agencies of those countries.”
Nneka Ukachukwu
