Insecurity: Northern elders demand Monguno’s sack over NDA attack

 

A prominent group, under the auspices of Coalition of Northern Elders for Peace and Development (CNEPD), has de­manded the immediate sack of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Baba­gana Monguno (rtd.) following Tuesday’s attack on the Nigerian Defence Academy.

The Northern elders, in a statement following the at­tack, also sought an in-depth review of the entire security architecture, as according to them, the entire security chiefs must bear the blame.

In the statement condemn­ing the attack, National Coor­dinator of the Group, Engr. Zana Goni, blamed President Muhammadu Buhari for leaving Monguno behind at the time he replaced service chiefs.

He, however, expressed un­flinching support to the presi­dent and his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that their posi­tion was based on patriotism to the country.

The elders insisted that it was time for the president to do away with Monguno following the worsening in­security in the country.

The deteriorating security situation, according to the Co­alition, is a sign that Mongu­no, who manages the nation’s security, was not on top of his game.

The statement berated stakeholders in the region over what the group de­scribed as “their long si­lence in the face of unbear­able criminal acts by armed herdsmen and insecurity across the country, thereby giving a bad image of the region.

“We find it once more ex­pedient to comment on the worsening security situation in the country, especially the latest attack on a military for­mation, the Nigerian Defence Academy, which is the insti­tution where future military leaders are trained.

“We woke up to the sad news of the attack on the NDA, leaving two officers killed and another abducted by bandits with heavy hearts. If it were not the confirma­tion of this unbelievable action by the Academy’s spokesperson, Bashir Jajira, we would have still been in doubt.

“The fact that a fortified military institution could be so easily invaded by armed militias without resistance has left us with the conclu­sion that no part of this coun­try and no citizen, no matter his or her status is safe again.

“Without mincing words, we wish to attribute this ugly development to intelligence failure and gaps in the ca­pacity of our armed forces. We wish to strongly say here that the attack is a slap on the Nigeria intelligence commu­nity and the armed forces.

“The retention of the National Security Adviser, General Babagana Mongu­no, at the time the president listened to the voice of reason and replaced service chiefs, may be contributing to the continuous deteriorating se­curity situation in the coun­try.

“Given the situation, we wish to humbly and respec­tively appeal to our dear Presi­dent, Muhammadu Buhari, to as a matter of urgent national importance, replace the NSA, whose tenure since his as­sumption of office, has been characterised by heightened Boko Haram activities, ban­ditry, kidnap for ransom and other heinous crimes without end in sight.”