By JOHN NWOKOCHA, Abuja

Eminent Nigerians, security experts, technocrats have kicked against the planned Town Hall meeting being arranged by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major-General Babagana Monguno (rtd) to address the security challenges facing the country currently, and called on the members of the national assembly to wake up.

Rejecting the proposed town hall meeting, the eminent Nigerians comprising a retired commissioner of police, former minister of education, a United Nations senior intelligence facilitator, and concerned citizens said “ It is a waste of time”. They added: It is a waste of resources and would turn out a sheer “Jamboree”.

As our reporter gathered on Sunday in Abuja, the eminent Nigerians and elder statesmen in their separate comments while reacting to the press statement by the NSA to the effect that the first of the Town Hall Meetings is scheduled to hold in Kaduna State on Monday, 15 February 2021 with all Seven Governors of the North Western States, said “This is the most idiotic statement that can emanate from a Security Adviser !Your response to security challenges is to hold town hall meetings ?” “What a country !What leadership !We are finished.” Another comment by a concerned intelligence expert reads: “This is definitely an exercise in futility.

“A man of average intelligence who has been following the news can analyse our problems. Why waste our resources?

“If our intelligent units require town hall meetings to establish or understand current issues we have grave problems.

“What reports have they been getting from their field staff?

“Our Governors and State / National Assemblies must wake from slumber to appreciate the reality that Nigeria is seating on gun powders. We are preparing grounds for disruptions in the system. Legislators wake up”.

In a similar tone, an intelligence analyst questions the relevance and role of security chiefs in the zones and states in concert with security authorities in Abuja.

As he puts it: “Another seemingly meaningless jamboree in the name of security jargon!

What does he intend to achieve by this fire brigade approach that can't be provided better by the security chiefs in the respective states/zones in coordination with the relevant authorities at Abuja?

“What then is the duty of the security chiefs at those locations?”

Urging the national legislators to wake up from slumber, they said that convocation of town hall meeting is not the way to secure the country.

News Express can state that the press statement from the office of the NSA signed and issued on February 13, 2021, discloses among other plans that the town hall meetings are expected to provide direct assessment of the security situation, generate local feedback and recommendations, encourage Geo-Political synchronisation of effort among States and to also create a pathway to lasting peace and security.

The statement also reveals that Monguno believes that addressing the security threats bedeviling the country call for the deployment of all national assets, including the cooperation of all Nigerians.

Furthermore, the statement states unequivocal that the first of the Town Hall Meetings is scheduled to hold in Kaduna State on Monday,(Today), 15 February 2021 with all Seven Governors of the North Western States.

Read full text of the statement:

In furtherance of Federal Government’s commitment to address multiple security threats facing Nigeria, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd) convened a meeting of the General Security Appraisal Committee ( GSAC) on 11th February, 2021. The meeting, which was attended by the Service Chiefs and Heads of Law Enforcement, Security and Intelligence Agencies discussed the threats of kidnapping, terrorism, banditry, armed robbery and the resultant consequences of these threats on lives and property.

As part of renewed commitment to make Nigeria safe and secure, the meeting resolved to strengthen interagency coordination, stakeholders’ engagement and consultation in order to find lasting solution to the multiple security threats. Working with the Service Chiefs and Heads of Security and Intelligence Agencies, the National Security Adviser is coordinating a Whole -of -Government and Whole-of Society approach that cuts across the Legislature, Judiciary, Ministries and Departments , States and Local Governments and the Civil Society to ensure that every stakeholder plays a role in securing our towns and villages. The NSA believes that addressing these threats call for the deployment of all national assets, including the cooperation of all Nigerians.

Consequently, the National Security Adviser will be leading a delegation of Heads of Federal Law Enforcement, Security and Intelligence Agencies to the Geo-Political Zones to hold Town Halls meeting with the State Governors, Traditional and Religious Leaders, members of the Legislature, Non-Governmental, Youth and Women Organisations. The meetings are expected to provide direct assessment of the security situation, generate local feedback and recommendations, encourage Geo-Political synchronisation of effort among States and to also create a pathway to lasting peace and security. The first of the Town Hall Meetings is scheduled to hold in Kaduna State on Monday, 15 February 2021 with all Seven Governors of the North Western States.

The Federal Government is deeply concerned about the current spate of criminal activities and is taking major steps to strengthen the capacity of security agencies, while upgrading the security architecture, and implementing a multi-pronged strategy that involves political, humanitarian, economic and security measures. The Federal Government is equally committed to working with the States and community leaders to strengthen peace, security and development in all parts of the country.

END

Office of the National Security Adviser

Abuja

13 February, 2021

Update news