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Tag: Security Chiefs

  • Buhari meets security chiefs in Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with the nation’s security chiefs.

    The meeting, which was held inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja, was meant to review ongoing efforts aimed at tackling security challenges across the country.

    Those who attended the meeting included the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali; National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Abubakar Sadique.

    The Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar; Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris; the Director-General of the Department for State Services, Lawan Daura; and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, also attended.

    At the end of the meeting Dan-Ali’s spokesman, Tukur Gusau, issued a statement, giving an insight into what transpired at the meeting.

    According to the statement, the security chiefs seized the opportunity of the meeting to demand for more equipment from the Federal Government.

    The minister’s spokesman said in order to forestall future security incidences in Zamfara, Sokoto and Birnin-Gwari axis, Operation Sharan Daji has been extended to cover up to the fringes of Niger Republic border.

    The statement read, “The operation has recently been reinforced witlh more troops from the Nigerian Armed Forces, Nigeria Police and Department of State Services and is supported by the Intelligence, Surveillance and Recognisance Wing of 207 Quick Response Group of the Nigerian Air Force.

    “The joint operation has successfully arrested some suspected armed bandits and recovered arms and ammunition.

    “Similarly, in other to checkmate the criminal activities along Abuja-Kaduna highway, security agencies have been directed to increase patrols along the axis to address cases of attacks and kidnappings.”

    Dan-Ali was also said to have briefed the President on the security situation in the Niger Delta.

    “Operation Delta Safe has sustained its operations against illegal activities in the Niger Delta region with resultant reduction in illegal oil bunkering, militancy and pipeline vandalism,” he was quoted as saying.

    He said the meeting also reviewed Operation Safe Haven leading to appointment of a new Commander in the North Central.

    He reiterated the need for the deployment of the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in all areas liberated by the military in the North-East in order to consolidate on the gains of military operations as well as to enable the military push forward in its clearance operations.

    The National Economic Council presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had last December resolved that $1bn be withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account to boost the fight against insecurity.

    The resolution however attracted criticisms from some Nigerians, including some state governors.

    Some federal lawmakers had also argued at the time that only the National Assembly could make appropriations to the security agencies.

  • Killings: Buhari, security chiefs meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with security chiefs.

    The meeting started around 10.30am at the President’s office.

    It is expected to discuss security challenges facing the nation.

    The meeting will be the last security meeting before President Buhari proceeds on 10-day working holiday on Friday.

     

    Details later…

  • Relax, my security chiefs ‘racking’ their brains to end killings – Buhari tells Nigerians

    President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday appealed to Nigerians to exercise some patient while his security chiefs find long lasting solutions to the killings across the country.

    A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, quoted the President as saying this while condemning killings of many people, including a district head, in and around Gandi village in Rabah Local Government of Sokoto State by bandits.

    “I wish to assure all Nigerians that their security is receiving the greatest attention from this administration and there is no compromise in this commitment.

    “I appeal for your patience while my security teams crack (sic) their brains to put an end to this horrendous violence,” Shehu quoted Buhari as saying.

    The President said his government would no longer tolerate violence against innocent Nigerians.

    He threatened that any attempt to try his government’s will would be met with equal force.

    He wondered why murderers would be targeting innocent people for no just cause.

    The President said, “This wanton violence against innocent people won’t be tolerated by this government, and we are working round the clock to identify the people sponsoring these heartless attacks.

    “It is curious why any group of mass murderers would be targeting and killing innocent people for no just reason.

    “Make no mistake about it, my administration remains committed to security as one of its core objectives, and any attempt to test our will by any group of anarchists and troublemakers will be met with equal force.

    “Identifying and defeating these callous killers is receiving priority from this administration, and we shall spare no effort in tracing the root of this evil, especially their sources of funding and arms.”

    Buhari promised that although these hit-and-run gangs of mass murderers were using unconventional tacts, they would eventually be defeated.

    The President also warned that “this administration will not allow any group of barbarians and criminals hold the country hostage and destroy life without consequences.”

    He extended his condolences to the government, families of the victims and the people of Sokoto State at large over what he called “these incredible losses of lives at the hands of these enemies of humanity.”

    He assured then that the Federal Government would give all possible assistance to the state in dealing with the tragic incident.

     

  • Killings: Buhari meets Army Chief, vows commitment to ending security challenges

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting, which was held behind closed doors inside the President’s office, centred on efforts being made by Army authorities to restore peace to troubled parts of the country.

    Buhari disclosed this in a message he posted on his verified Twitter handle, @MBuhari, after the meeting.

    The President said his administration’s commitment to peace and security of the country was total.

    Buhari wrote, “I received a briefing from the Chief of Army Staff this (Thursday) afternoon.

    “The Army recently established a new battalion in Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna State, in addition to other deployments in troubled parts of the country.

    “Our commitment to the peace and security of Nigeria is total.”

    Buratai was said to have briefed the President on the happenings in the Nigerian Army as well as the latest security situations across the country.

    Speaking to State House correspondents after the closed door meeting, Burutai said he was duty-bound to regularly brief the President on the activities of the Nigerian Army.

    Buratai reassured Nigerians that the Army would continue to collaborate with other security agencies to safeguard lives and property as well as protect the territorial integrity of the country.

    He said that the recent deployment of a battalion of soldiers to Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, was in line with the Army’s guidelines.

    “We will continue to operate along with other security agencies that have been charged with the responsibility of securing our country.

    “The deployment of a battalion to Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State is in line with the Nigerian Army’s order of battle that was approved in 2016 and we are going to implement all the directives of our Commander-in-Chief, in order to achieve strategic objectives of the Nigerian government.

    “So, that is essentially why we had to deploy a battalion there and the soldiers will work alongside other security agencies,’’ he said.

    On the ongoing fight against Boko Haram insurgency, Buratai disclosed that the Nigerian Army had since commenced the construction of network of roads within the Sambisa forest to further consolidate the gains being recorded in the battle field.

    Buratai also reiterated the determination of the Nigerian army to turn the Sambisa forest into tourist and relaxation centres.

    “That is progressing very well and Nigerians should be rest assured that our Operation Last Halt will further consolidate on the achievements so far made and we hope the Internally Displaced Persons in that area will go back to their communities and pick up their lives again.’’

  • Senators call for sack of security chiefs, calls for self-defence

    Senators yesterday in plenary suggested various measures to address the current state of insecurity in the country following fresh herdsmen violence in Nasarawa state.

    Senator Suleiman Adokwe (PDP, Nasarawa) drew the attention of the red chamber to ongoing crises in his Nasarawa South senatorial district that led to the death of 32 persons. According to him, the attacks continued unabated for four days “under the noses of security agencies”.

    Adokwe stressed that the alleged apathy on the part of security agencies is leading to greater calls for self-defence as recently propounded by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. TY Danjuma (rtd).

    Also aligning with Senator Adokwe, Senator James Manager (PDP, Delta) said the issue of self-defence is “a matter of natural instincts, defend yourself or they kill you.”

    Furthermore, he boasted that Ijaw communities will defend and avenge any attack on their land but called for an implementation of the resolutions of the Senate’s Security Summit held in February as a means of bringing lasting peace to the country.

    On his part, Senator Solomon Olamilekan (APC, Lagos) called for the sack all the service chiefs as they have run out of ideas, stressing that the President is “in need of fresh ideas” to combat the insecurity situation.

    “I think the President needs fresh ideas and fresh men, all the service chiefs and head of security agencies should be sacked immediately, there are no two ways about this.

    “I believe they have exhausted all the ideas deposited in them over the years as security experts. This current head of security agencies cannot give him the fresh ideas, they have to go in order to put an end to what is happening,” he said.

    Senator Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi) in his contribution added another dimension to the discussion by saying that Nigeria should call for international help “before it is too late,” an idea the presiding officer and Deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu agreed with.

    According to Ekweremadu, “The time has come for us to seek help from other countries as some of us have suggested here. We should not be ashamed to ask for help.

    “The President met with the UK Prime Minister and she was of the opinion that Britain would help us security wise, America is also offering to help. We should not be reluctant to come out openly as say we need help, because what we have now is a global village.”

    He continued: “We cannot be asking people to come to Nigeria and invest their monies here, they will not! Rather, let us ask them to come and help us to solve our security problem. If we solve our security problem, they will come here, with nobody asking them to come. I think the first thing to do is to resolve the issue, and it is something we all need to do, and do it fast.”

    The Senate subsequently observed a minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the crises while calling on the President to direct the armed forces and the police to stop the carnage and return normalcy to troubled areas.

    In addition, the Senate mandated its Ad-hoc Committee on security to investigate the incident in Nassarawa .

  • 2019: Only Buhari, APC can disrupt credible polls, Obasanjo’s coalition replies security chiefs

    The Coalition for Nigeria Movement led by former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reacted to claims by the country’s security chiefs that some groups were plotting to discredit the conduct of the 2019 general elections.

    The group explained further that the statement by a former Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.), that the military was colluding with unscrupulous individuals should not be dismissed.

    Recall that the Directors-General of the Department of State Services, Mr. Lawal Daura; and National Intelligence Agency, Mr. Ahmed Rufa’I as well as the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, had raised the alarm over the plans by some groups to disrupt the processes leading to the 2019 elections.

    The evil plan, according to them, was for the groups to create a stalemate during the elections.

    However, Osuntokun in a swift response said the security heads were acting out the script of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said, “It all sounds funny to me. I don’t know any group that meets that description but why would anyone want to disrupt the 2019 elections? The only people that would want to disrupt the elections are the APC which has sensed its imminent defeat.

    “If what Gen. Danjuma said is true whereby our protectors have become murderers, then it means they are the ones that should be feared. They are the ones that should be suspected.

    “If you can extrapolate from what Gen. Danjuma said, that means Nigerians are at the mercy of the government or the army that is colluding. The people we should fear are (those in ) the government.”

    Osuntokun said it was unfortunate that the heads of security agencies were serving a ‘conspiratorial parochial agenda’ as they were protecting the President’s ethnic base.

    He added, “Where is the need to reserve the command of the Nigerian military and security services exclusively for the ethno-religious base of the President if it is not to serve a conspiratorial parochial agenda?

    “The only group that fits this description of a fictitious fifth columnist agenda is the government itself.”

  • Plans ongoing by some groups to disrupt 2019 election – Security chiefs

    Plans ongoing by some groups to disrupt 2019 election – Security chiefs

    Security Chiefs in the country have expressed concerns over alleged attempts by some groups to disrupt the 2019 general election processes.

    This was revealed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Thursday.

    Shehu said the heads of the security agencies expressed the worry during an interactive session they had with some media owners and senior journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday.

    The presidential spokesman listed those who addressed the media practitioners to include the Director General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Daura; Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ahmed Abubakar; and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin.

    He quoted them as saying that the aim of the unnamed groups was to create a stalemate in the polity.

    He said, “The security chieftains expressed the particular worry that there are groups in the country with evil designs to disrupt the processes leading to the 2019 general elections in the hope of creating a stalemate.

    “They warned the media against the activities of some unregistered groups that have lately been active in trying to undermine critical institutions such as the law-enforcement agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission.

    “The security heads also called for closer cooperation from the media to prevent terrorists and radical ideologies directed from abroad from undermining the ongoing efforts to restore security in parts of the country facing the challenges of terrorism, economic sabotage, criminality, farmers-herdsmen’s clashes and the spread of illegal weapons.”

    Shehu said in the midst of the debate over the right to freedom of expression and the government’s efforts to ensure that the digital space and the mass media generally did not become a playground for terrorism and destabilisation, the security chiefs gave assurances that they would maintain a balance between openness and national security.

    He said they however called on media owners and journalists to walk the fine balance between openness on one hand and national security on the other.

    According to him, the security chiefs also gave assurances that the security situation in the country was within the control of the government.

    He further quoted them as saying that the situation could be helped where the media reduce sensation from their daily coverage.

    “Our state of national security is not as bad as it is painted by the media,” he quoted them as saying.

    In seeking the support from the media towards the achievement of security for everyone, the heads of the agencies reportedly emphasised that sharing and coordination among security agencies and the media were essential to counter the ever-changing threats faced by the nation.

    Shehu further said the security chiefs also expressed the view that the Nigerian media had a role to play in securing Nigeria’s national interest.

    This expected role of the press, he said, was in tandem with global best practices, particularly on issues that had bearing on national security.

    He said the security chiefs, therefore, invited the media “as partners to continue to be security conscious and exercise restraint in disseminating information that could expose the services to ridicule or harm our national security.

    “Prior consultation with appropriate members of the Intelligence Community is the best way to go.”

    Shehu said the NIA boss recalled what he described as unsavoury developments of the last one year, which had put the agency in a negative limelight.

    He said the security chief however said that such developments were not peculiar to the agency.

     

  • Senate summons security chiefs over Chibok, Dapchi girls’ abduction

    …demands two-week rescue plan

    The Senate has summoned the ‎Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, to explain the circumstances surrounding the abduction of 110 students of Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, by Boko Haram on February 19.

    The invitation followed the adoption of a motion moved by Senator Binta Masi Garba, to commemorate the 2018 International Women’s Day.

    The motion had Senators Stella Oduah, Oluremi Tinubu, Biodun Olujimi, Monsurat Sumonu, Fatima Raji-Rasaki, Rose Oko, John Enoh and Yele Omogunwa ‎as co-sponsors.

    Unanimously granting prayers of the motion, the lawmakers resolved to “felicitate with Nigerian women and girls on this year’s International Women’s Day Celebration.”

    They also mandated the Senate Joint Committees on Police Affairs; and Security and Intelligence “to summon the Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Army Staff to brief the Senate on the actual situation of things regarding the kidnap and, in addition, present clear operational strategies to rescue the remaining Chibok and Dapchi schoolgirls within two weeks.”

    Boko Haram had earlier on April 14, 2014, abducted over 200 pupils of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, while more than half of them had either escaped or secured their release through negotiations.

    Olujimi, who presented the motion on Garba’s behalf, said the Senate was concerned that the implementation of policies that prohibit violence against women and girls, and promote the girl-child’s education was still poor.

    “Practices such as violence against women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking, sexual and other types of exploitation, early child and forced marriage, female genital mutilation are still being practised,” she said.

    Olujimi added, “The Senate is further concerned that the spate of girl-child kidnapping in Nigeria has assumed an alarming dimension. On the 21st of February, 2018, the nation was shocked with the news of the kidnap of 110 schoolgirls from Government Girls Science Technical College, Dapchi, Busari Local Government Area of Yobe State. This incidence is reminiscence of the 2014 Chibok girls’ abduction in which 113 of the girls are still in captivity almost four years after.

    “The Senate is worried that a pattern is gradually being established which clearly indicates that the objectives of the Boko Haram insurgents is to deprive young girls of school age from pursuing education.

    “The Senate is further worried that if this ugly trend is not checked, the girl-child education, which is part of the objective of goal Number 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals would have been lost in Nigeria, even before the 2030 target year.”

    Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary, called for proper implementation of the affirmative action by Nigeria.

  • Dapchi Girls: Hold Buhari, Security Chiefs responsible for abduction – PDP tells Nigerians

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has told Nigerians to hold the President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government responsible for the abduction of some schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe State on Monday by the Boko Haram sect.

    The party accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of complacency and insincerity in handling the abduction.

    Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday apologized to Nigerians especially parents and families of the abducted schoolgirls.

    He described the abduction as a ‘national disaster’ and reassured Nigerians of his administration’s resolve to bring back the abducted schoolgirls by all means.

    However, the PDP in a statement signed and released by its spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan on Friday said the recent abduction and other incidents that border largely on kidnappings and killings shows that President Buhari and the APC have failed in the simple task of securing the lives and properties of Nigerians when it most.

    The statement reads in full:

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) holds firmly that Nigerians should hold President Muhammadu Buhari-led Presidency directly responsible for the abduction of schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe state and several other atrocities committed by insurgents against citizens, particularly in the northern part of the country.

    The Buhari Presidency has put Nigerians at risk by deceiving the people and issuing false performance indices suggesting that insurgents have been completely routed out, a situation which made our unsuspecting citizens trust a lie and dropped their guards in the face of real threats and danger.

    Without doubt, if the incompetent All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government had not dished out lies to the people in a bid to score cheap political points for its ill-lucked 2019 re-election bid, more precautionary measures would have been adopted by the affected communities to ensure adequate protection.

    While Nigerians are appalled by APC’s recourse to false indices in critical sectors, it is, however, to say the least, an inexcusable height of wickedness to give a vulnerable people a false assurance of security when they are actually in danger.

    Furthermore, the PDP decries as iniquitous, the efforts by APC-controlled federal authorities to suppress information on the abduction, leading to conflicting reports and frustrating of rescue mission, just because they seek to hide the failures of the presidency in ensuring the safety of Nigerians, particularly in the north.

    We were shocked that in their proclivity to deceive, the authorities earlier informed Nigerians that some of the girls have been recovered only for the news to turn out to be false.

    While President Buhari has not uttered any word of assurance, Government’s visiting team headed by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed only had a whistle stop at the Dapchi school and made no effort to interface or even commiserate with community leaders and parents of the abducted girls, while completely shutting out the media. This only further confirms APC’s insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians.

    It is more irking that the President and Commander-in-Chief will publicly provide a day an asymmetry war will come to an end as if acts of insurgency are fought like a conventional warfare.

    It is painful that Nigerians are faced today with a government that has been heavy on propaganda and issuing of false statistics, while playing down on several atrocities committed against defenseless citizens.

    Under the PDP, Nigerians were never told lies on the true situation of the state of affairs in all sectors, particularly security. The PDP-led government constantly briefed Nigerians and carried all stakeholders along in our concerted effort in securing lives and property in our nation.

    Nigerians and indeed the world must hold the Buhari Presidency and the APC-led Federal Government directly responsible for the abduction of these defenseless schoolgirls as well as the killings in our country today.

    While the PDP stands with the parents of the abducted girls at this moment of their harrowing pains and prays for their speedy return, we implore our security forces to insulate themselves from APC propaganda, take very decisive professional steps to recover our girls and end the killings in our country.

     

    Signed:

    Kola Ologbondiyan

    National Publicity Secretary

  • Buhari summons security chiefs over insecurity

    President Muhamamdu Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with the nation’s security chiefs as part of efforts aimed at ending the spate of insecurity across the country.

    The meeting was held inside the President’s office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali; and the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, led the security chiefs to the meeting.

    The new Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar, attended the security meeting for the first time since his recent appointment.

    Apart from the service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, also attended the meeting.

    In a message posted on the Twitter handle, @NGRPresident, the Presidency said the security chiefs briefed Buhari on intelligence gathering and law enforcement efforts across the country.

    “Security meeting today, presided over by President @MBuhari. NSA, Service Chiefs, Intelligence Chiefs, IGP in attendance.

    “President briefed on Intelligence-gathering and law enforcement efforts across the country, by the various agencies,” the message read.