 |
| Babagana Monguno |
Babagana Monguno, the National Security Adviser (NSA), claims that the military and other security agencies' clever strategies for combating insecurity were producing fruitful results.
This was stated by Mr. Monguno at the beginning of the Defense Advisers and Attachés Annual Conference on Monday in Abuja, which was hosted by the Defense Intelligence Agency.
"Sustaining Nigeria's Defence and Security: Role of the Defence Attaché System" is the conference's theme, and it lasts for a week.
The NSA claimed that efforts had been made by the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security organisations to drastically lessen security concerns around the nation.
Insurgency and terrorism in the North-East, as well as secessionist movement in the South-East and South-West, were some of the risks he named.
The threats also include illegal oil bunkering in the South-South, banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling in the North-West and North-Central zones.
Mr Monguno said the military and security agencies had recorded a high degree of success in all operations and substantial levels of peace and stability in the North-East and North-West.
This, according to him, is evident by the continued mass surrender of terrorists and their sympathisers, particularly in the North-East.
“Similar degrees of success have also been recorded in other zones of the country, especially in addressing crude oil theft and secessionist activities, amongst others.”
Mr Monguno harped on strengthening regional cooperation to ensure the success of ongoing military operations further.
“I must also mention the support of our neighbours in our regional counterterrorism efforts, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin, under the auspices of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
“The transnational nature of the current threats has made regional cooperation a matter of utmost necessity.
“Additionally, we have continued to strengthen collaboration with our international partners in terms of capacity building and strategic intelligence sharing.
“These strategic partnerships are mainly driven by the defence Attaché system,” he said.
The NSA commended the agency for strengthening alliances to promote Nigeria’s regional and international interests.
He said President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was determined to go to great lengths to ensure that the country attained the desired peace, stability and prosperity.
He said it was important that DIA broaden its horizon to explore avenues to improve indigenous capability in the various dimensions of national security.
Mr Monguno expressed confidence that the conference’s outcome would reinforce the existing strategies and proffer new ones to address some perennial security challenges.
The Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Samuel Adebayo, said the annual conference allowed the agency to appraise the activities of its defence sections all over the world.
Mr Adebayo said the conference came at a time when the nation faced unusual security challenges characterised by a volatile, uncertain and complex environment.
(NAN)