We are in a difficult situation. Nigerians are getting tired and are beginning to gravitate into other means of self-help - National Security Adviser Babagana Monguno

Babagana Monguno, the national security adviser (NSA) has outlined the need to tackle the fast-spreading insecurity and terrorist attacks nationwide which he said Nigerians are getting tired of. 

 

Briefing state house correspondents on the outcome of the national security council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja, Monguno said Nigerians are tired of the country’s worsening insecurity and are gravitating towards self-help.

 The NSA who spoke alongside the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, said the President is well aware of the dire security challenges the country finds itself in at the moment.

 

He said; 

 

“Today’s meeting was convened by the president, as a continuation of the meeting that took place last week to discuss the technical issues and the taskings that were given to the various security agencies.

“Again, the council deems it necessary to inform the general public, that fighting this type of asymmetric conflict is a collective effort. It’s not something that should be confined to only the security, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies.

“When we keep saying whole of society approach, whole of government approach; to get a whole of nation approach, what it means is that everybody has to partake in this enterprise.

“The truth is that no country can ever overcome the difficulties of an asymmetric conflict by virtue of the fact that the enemy of the state is embedded within the population within the wider society.

“It is true that the local people are averse, they’re scared, they’re worried and there’s no confidence. That is understandable. But without their support, the cooperation in terms of giving information, it makes it very hard for the operational elements.

“We are in a very difficult situation. And Council understands. Mr. President understands people’s concerns about the growing insecurity. But I can assure you that there’s no straight cut and dried method of dealing with this thing unless all of us embrace each other.

“I know people are weary, people are tired, people are beginning to gravitate to other places for self-help. The truth is that help is rooted in everyone working for the other person.”

 

Also commenting on last Friday’s attack on the 7 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army Presidential Guards Brigade, the NSA stressed that no country can win an asymmetric warfare without the help of its citizens. 

 

Monguno said; 

 

“The various entities concerned have started working on these new strategies. They have also given their word to the President.” 

 

The NSA also said that the special investigation on the July 5 Kuje Correctional Center attack that saw the release of over 600 terrorists will soon be concluded. He also said they would punish those who, by neglect of duty, allowed the terrorists get away.

 

Monguno who didn’t entertain questions from journalists afterwards, cautioned the media against giving wide publicity to the terrorists, saying such materials flooding the internet have dire consequences for the country.