Security chiefs finger foreign forces in blasts

Posted by admin Latest Politics Tuesday, July 5th, 2011

NIGERIA’S security helmsmen yesterday appeared before the Senate at a closed-door session, where they gave several reasons for the apparent ease with which criminals operate in various parts of the country.

They particularly cited lack of enabling laws in the past and some external forces in the activities of some armed gangs as the major reasons for the security agencies’ inability to effectively police the nation.

The meeting was attended by the National Security Adviser, Gen. Owoye Azazi, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Hafiz Ringim, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Oluseyi Petinrin, and the Director-General of State Security Services (SSS), Ita Ekpeyong.

Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, who briefed journalists after the parley in the National Assembly, said with the Anti-Terrorism Act now in place, the legal frame-work had been provided for the police and the armed forces to address the critical problems.

Ndoma-Egba added that the passage of the Act had boosted the international community’s confidence in the country’s ability to check the excesses of bandits, stressing that they now have a platform to co-operate with Nigeria in confronting the terrorism.

According to him, terrorism is a global phenomenon and it would require international assistance to contain it.

“As we know, terrorism is a global phenomenon and requires international attention. As we were told at the briefing, there was no law under which some of these infractions could be charged but with the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Act, we now have an appropriate legal frame-work within which to deal with the situation that we have but beyond that, the promulgation of the Anti-Terrorism Act has also given confidence to the international community. So, they now have a basis to co-operate with Nigeria in confronting the menace.”

He explained that the briefing by the security chiefs was comprehensive with an assurance that the situation would be adequately addressed. “The briefing was extensive and covered every aspect of the security challenges being faced by our dear country, including the Boko Haram phenomenon. Questions were asked, clarifications sought and they were given and at the end of the day, I can say with certainty that the security chiefs have assured Nigerians that they are on top of the situation, and that these challenges, especially the challenge of Boko Haram, would be contained sooner than later and the Senate on its part has assured the security agencies of its support in their efforts to contain these challenges, especially through appropriation and through oversight functions.”

The Guardian learnt that the senators were told that recent bombings in the country had international connection, which the security forces are ready to tackle. The source explained that the Senate did not carry out any screening of ministerial nominees to consider the new ones forwarded and the withdrawal of another. Senators felt it was better if we had a clearer picture of the status of the list of nominees before proceeding. They have given the assurances that they are ready to work extra hard tomorrow and the day after but they would like to be most certain about which list we are using but I think the real cause was the communication we received from Mr. President nominating Okonjo-Iweala and withdrawing another one. So, the list is changing as it were. Tonye Cole from Rivers State was withdrawn.”

On Boko Haram, Ndoma-Egba said: “They have been making arrests, in fact, today (yesterday), there is a very detailed briefing mentioning names of those who were arrested. But you know, after arrest, they are obliged to take the people to court but most often, they are granted bail and they just return to their nefarious ways. So, one of the issues that were discussed was the need for the judiciary to be integrated into the effort to contain the security situation.”

On the fate of former Finance Minister, Segun Aganga, he said, “only the President can answer that” and urged the Taraba State ministerial nominee, Dr. Obadiah Ando, to settle whatever issue he had with his constituency.

But a key member of the Lagos caucus in the Senate and South-West senator said he was shocked that Gbajabiamila Femi raised the Aganga issue in the Lower House. We have nothing to do with the position of the House.

National Security AdviserAzazi had at a separate forum in Abuja yesterday said Nigeria is facing a critical security challenge and urged the security agencies and all stakeholders to work together to tackle the problem.

At the emergency meeting of the National Council on Information and Communications (NCIC) in Abuja, Azazi lamented that at this period of national life, the security situation has been characterised by bombings, maiming of innocent Nigerians and creating an atmosphere of fear and general insecurity in the minds of the people.

He called for an information strategy to tell Nigerians what is being done by the government to safeguard their lives and property and protect them from terrorists, adding that without information strategy, there would be uncoordinated and disjointed relations by information officials giving impression that the government was not doing anything or was uncoordinated in its approach to fighting terrorism.

According to him, national security is not about physical security alone but the projection of national goals such as job creation, economic development, the welfare of the people, and creating an enabling environment.

He said: “The task of providing adequate security is for everyone. The major concern of Nigerians is safety. However, the reality is that many people are safe and living in a secure environment. They need to be re-assured of the capacity of the government to tackle any security challenges.”

Azazi, who was represented by a director in the NSA’s office, Ambassador Clement Layiwola Laseinde, stressed that information is vital in national security.

He called on information managers to create innovative ways to enlighten Nigerians on their roles and responsibilities in making the country a secure place for them.

The Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. Labaran Maku, noted that the issue of security had been on the front-burner of public discourse, especially in the light of various violent and terrorist activities in some parts of the country, adding that it had reached a stage that a co-ordinated response was required to re-assure the citizenry that government had taken necessary measures to contain the situation.

The Director-General of the State Security Services (SSS), Ita Ekpeyong, represented by Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Marylyn Ogar, urged the media to assist security agencies with information on how to tackle the challenges facing the country.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command has placed its officers and men on alert to check any security breach and threats to life and property.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Musa Daura, made the announcement yesterday in Abeokuta at a meeting with officers and men of the command.

The command’s spokesman, Mr. Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said Daura urged his men to be proactive and see the fight against terrorism as a collective responsibility.

Daura was also quoted as promising to work with other security agencies in the state to protect the residents.

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) has identified the indifference of government at all levels as the major cause of suicide bombings in Nigeria.

The CNPP reacted to the seeming state of insecurity, particularly last Sunday’s bomb blast in Maiduguri, which killed at least six people and wounded 13.

Alhaji Balarabe Musa, National Chairman of the CNPP, said the country was dealing with organised violence, adding that those involved were politically-motivated.

-Guardianwp_posts