What I told Osinbajo, governors about insecurity across Nigeria – NSA
The National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, on Thursday told the National Economic Council (NEC) that violence by “armed bandits was gradually replacing terrorism” across Nigeria.
Mr Monguno, who addressed journalists after the NEC meeting, said he also told the NEC members that the violence between herders and farming communities was present in 16 states.
The NEC is headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and has all state governors as members. The NEC for 2019 to 2023 was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday.
Boko Haram
Mr Monguno said he briefed the council on the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east.
“I briefed council on the situation in the North-east particularly the activities of Boko Haram which continues to remain very fragile.
“It is still a problem that needs to be readdressed with collective effort of both intelligence and operations,” he said.
The major general lamented that the activities of the Islamic State West Africa Province, a breakaway faction of Boko Haram, has spread in the North-east.
“…the multinational task force has been conducting offensive operations against these elements in the Lake Chad Area especially the Islamic State West Africa Province, whose activities have now stretched all the way down into the Lake Chad Area,” he said.
Bandits in North-West
Mr Monguno said he also briefed the NEC on the activities of armed bandits in North-west Nigeria.
PREMIUM TIMES has reported how thousands of people have been killed and displaced in the past months after bandits attacked various communities in the North-west. Some of the states affected by the attacks include Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
“I also briefed council on the activities of armed bandits and elements who have gradually entrenched themselves in the landscape. I also told council that the activities of this armed bandits were gradually replacing terrorism, which was the primary security threats.
“Now, the bandits in the North-west have become major threats to national security. Of course, in recent weeks the Nigerian Police Force has made a lot of gains in dealing with these criminals,” he said.
Source: PREMIUM TIMES
