Protesters under the auspices of the Guardians of Democracy and Development Initiative (GDDI), on Monday, flooded the streets of Abuja to demand the sack of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd) and Minister of Defence Minister, Maj. Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd) over alleged incompetence.
The group’s spokesman, Comrade Danesi Momoh, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the duo with immediate effect.
Flanked by Co-convener of the group, Mr Igwe Ide-Umanta, Momoh said; “We wish to start with the statement credited to the National Security Adviser himself, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd), where he was quoted as saying:
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“People are getting tired and are beginning to gravitate into other means of self-help.
“Truth is that Nigerians are not just getting tired; we are suffocated, frustrated, threatened, apprehensive and completely uncertain about our safety and that of our loved ones. We cannot continue this way, and both the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Minister of Defence Know that.
“We have had to tolerate a National Security Adviser who has no record of achievement in his seven years in office. And right under his supervision, intelligence has been ignored (as has now been exposed by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives).
“There is no proactivity and no evidence of any practical input from him in addressing National Security before its total collapse status.
“On the part of the Minister of Defence, he has no innovation, inspiration and the right professional touch to lead such important Ministry at a critical time like this.
“In fact, he appears too frail, tired and out of touch with contemporary security realities and defence strategies. Thus he has no business being there. Mr. President should show mercy to the citizens and deploy a better hand and brain.
“Back to the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd), we must also note that his statement as quoted above suggests that he too is tired, frustrated and has no idea of what to do.
“He has never done anything before and cannot be expected to do anything other than the same seven years old recycled rhetoric. Things can only worsen under such abysmally poor NSA.
“He recall what he described as damning revelation of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, that 44 security reports were forwarded from the Department of State Security (DSS) and other Intelligence Agencies, before the attack on the Kuje Custodial Centre.
“That statement remains unchallenged till date. And the question is: ‘who coordinates the intelligences from the Security Agencies? And who processes them and see to their implementation?’
“Since the answer is the NSA, what is Maj. Gen. Monguno still doing there in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA)? Is he a National Security Adviser or a National Insecurity Adviser?’ “
