Buhari Queries Security Chiefs on Insecurity
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday read the riot act to service chiefs over terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country, saying their efforts were not good enough.
The President, also at a closed-door meeting with the service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, warned them against poor performance, and asked them to justify their appointments, since he appointed them based on their past records.
Buhari spoke on a day the military claimed it had the capacity to deal with the nation’s insecurity problem, and that it was not overwhelmed by the problem.
He also called for synergy among the heads of different security agencies in order to tackle the myriads of security issues bedeviling the country.
President Buhari expressed his frustrations with the security situation in the country when he met with the Heads of security agencies at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President’s outburst came on the heels of calls by different segments of the country, including the National Assembly, that the service chiefs are relieved of their positions to allow fresh hands to tackle the degenerating security situation in the country.
Recall that incessant attacks by bandits, kidnappers and terrorists in some states of the north had compelled a group, under the umbrella of Coalition of Northern Group, CNG, to stage a protest in Katsina State, the home state of the President, within the week and even called for his resignation and that of the state governor, Aminu Masari.
Briefing State House correspondents after the security meeting presided over by the President, the National Security Adviser, NSA, Major Gen. Babagana Monguno, retd, said the President expressed dismay over the security situation in Nigeria.
He said: “A meeting was just concluded between Mr. President and heads of the security agencies, that is the operational heads consisting of Minister of Defense, the service chiefs and on the other hand, the intelligence components consisting of myself and the intelligence heads.
“Today’s (yesterday) meeting basically focused on recent developments. Mr. President has expressed great concern over the declining security situation in the country.
Ayooluwa Joshua