The Network of Security Observers has reacted to a report on the Daily Nigerian that the Chief of Army Staff has withdrawn top army officers from the Office of the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno, stating that the withdrawal was an unavoidable event given the inability of the National Security Adviser to work with service chiefs and security agencies.
In a statement signed by Elder Albert Taagbe, its coordinator, the Security Observers group stated that the National Security Adviser had become a clog in the wheel in securing the country, as he had isolated himself from the service chiefs and other sister security agencies, and was unable to work with his colleagues.
The statement noted further that this isolation had led to the NSA’s office becoming redundant and creating weak channels of intelligence and information sharing.
“Taking a clinical look at the matters of insecurity in the country, we have noted a recurring problem and that is the lack of a repository of the intelligence work of our security and intelligence agencies and the obvious absence of an institution, which should ordinarily be the NSA’s office, to coordinate action and sharing on these intelligence gathered.
“Instead of stepping into action and building working relationships for the better of the country, the National Security Adviser has taken the rather unhelpful route. By isolating himself and treating his service as a personal affair and allowing his office to be used as a conspiratorial ground against senior members of the administration.” The statement read.
The group stated that if the NSA was not ready to work with his colleagues, he should quit and not be a clog in the wheel of the agenda of the President.
“When a National Security Adviser is unable to work with the Service Chiefs and heads of other Security Agencies and organisations, the functionality and usefulness of his office expires. The core mandate of his office is synergy and coordination. On these two he has failed.”
NESO also alleged that a former National Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Yusuf Yaro Mamman, had found his way into the office of the National Security Adviser and was working against the government of President Buhari.
“Those who know Nigeria’s political history well would tell you that Yusuf Y. Mamman is an opportunist, notorious for scheming and sinister plots. He is as divisive as he is unstable. It is thus questionable that he has found his way to the heart and office of the National Security Adviser. This is dangerous for the President Buhari administration.
“We would not be surprised to find out that he is exploiting the office to scheme against officials of the President Buhari administration. Like his boss, Major General Monguno, he has no usefulness there, and should take his exit as well.” NESO stated.
