- As Buhari Hints On Changes
BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – With pressure mounting daily over rising insecurity and criminality across the country, President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday hinted on possible changes in Nigeria’s security architecture going forward
This is even as he warned that the Federal Government will deploy all lawful means to deal decisively with anyone caught fomenting acts of criminality in the country.
“We intend to deal severely with those evil Nigerians inciting violence for political ends,’’ he assured
The expected changes are to reinvigorate and re-energise the Military and security agencies in the ongoing fight against terrorism and violent crimes in the country.
Dropping the hint when he hosted traditional rulers from the South West zone of the country, led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Buhari said the recent reshuffling in the army where Lt.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun was promoted and deployed as the army’s Chief of Policy and Plans, is a pointer to that effect
He assured the monarchs that his administration will continue to effect more changes in the army, where necessary, so as to boost the morale of the nation’s troops engaged in various security assignments across the country.
“I believe you are aware that there is a reshuffle in the Army, including the promotion and deployment of Lt.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun as the Nigerian Army’s Chief of Policy and Plans.
“This is done in order to reinvigorate and reenergise our troops to do more.T here will be further reviews where necessary for maximum performance,’’ the President said.
According to him, as the traditional authorities in their communities, government and the security agencies would always rely on the royal fathers to monitor the different communities, especially people coming in and out of their domains.
“Let me be very clear about our firm resolve to change the security architecture of Nigeria. It is one of the top priorities for this government but we won’t be able to achieve this goal without the support and input of you, our royal fathers.
“We hope that, for instance, traditional rulers will be able to observe new entrants into the community by requesting leaders of such ethnic groups to notify the traditional authorities of new intakes, thereby creating the opportunities for the gathering of actionable intelligence which tracks such movements in and out of communities, thereby offering early warning signals,’’ he said.
The president also assured them and the entire nation that the Federal Government would enforce the law, prosecute law breakers and secure an atmosphere of tranquility for all Nigerians where ever they choose to live and also protect communities from all forms of crimes.
Assuring that “This is both in our interests as an administration and the interests of the people who voted us into office’’, President said the government needs security to deliver on its many programmes to the people.
President Buhari, who acknowledged that there can be no prosperity without security, said; “This is not only a message of hope but a call to action to all of us as we seek ways to secure our country.’’
In highlighting government’s interventions to check the activities of terrorist groups, banditry and kidnappings in the country, the President said these efforts include an “expedited commencement of community policing, a robust revamping of police intelligence gathering capacity and the significant boosting of the numbers of security personnel in our local communities.
“This in specific terms will include recruiting a lot more police officers and doing so right from their local government areas, where they will train and station them in the best practice of community policing”.
He said the government will equally continue to engage the military when necessary to complement the Police, including possible deployment of troops on certain highways on a temporary basis.
The President further said that government would encourage the use of the Air Force assets to bomb hideouts where criminals are located, even as he admitted that these measures were inter-related and have to be well coordinated.
“The speedy implementation of community policing will facilitate a more effective collection of intelligence. This is especially in the area of a more useful and effective intelligence gathering process that traditional rulers will play some of the most critical roles,” the President said.
In their individual submissions,, the Ooni of Ife and other Royal fathers on the delegation, offered Mr President insights on the security challenges facing their domains.
They therefore sought the Federal Government’s support for their efforts in tackling the existing and emerging security challenges in the South West. – With agency reports
