The National Security Adviser, retired Major General Babagana Monguno, has said that Nigeria must be steps ahead to be able to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists and their activities.
Monguno gave the assertion in a key note address at the opening of a two-day “Stakeholders Workshop on the Implementation of the National Counter Terrorism Strategy” on Wednesday in Abuja.
“To be steps ahead of the terrorists, all gamuts of national power and authority must be activated and channeled adequately,” he said.
Represented by Navy Commodore Yaminu Musa, the National Coordinator of NACTEST, Office of the National Security Adviser, Monguno said all necessary efforts were being deployed to tackle the menace.
According to him, the carnage unleashed by the Boko Haram sect that caused the devastating loss of lives and properties is a grave menace that must be adequately tackled.
“Thus, the Office of the President through the Office of the National Security Adviser, using the Counter Terrorism Centre revised the National Counter Terrorism Strategy to deploy all necessary efforts at tackling the menace,” he said.
The NSA noted that “no one man or agency or country can achieve laudable success in the fight against terrorism”.
Monguno said all agencies must identify their crucial roles and collaborate to achieve success.
He said: “The NACTEST is a call for action to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, including Non-governmental Organisations and all well-meaning Nigerians.
“They must consciously take up their roles as outlined in the strategy and contribute by undertaking programmes and projects that are especially counter terrorism specific and counter terrorism relevant.”
Monguno said the first edition of the Counter Terrorism Strategy was developed and launched in 2014 with awareness being created for the purpose of mainstreaming its content and fostering implementation.
He, however, said the strategy had been reviewed after two years of working and testing, as provided for.
“The Office of the National security Adviser (ONSA) is therefore now in full swing to implement the strategy with the participation and buy-in of the relevant stakeholders,” he said.
He said his office had ensured the development of NACTEST Desks
and appointment of Focal/Liaison Officers in the MDAs.
Monguno said: “The ONSA expects all MDAs to use these Desks to ensure the driving of their roles as stated in the NACTEST as there would be periodic checks/liaison to give room for monitoring and evaluation,’’ the NSA said.
“Let us be conscious of the fact that we are partners in progress and drop all rivalry that tries to rob us of this partnership.
“We must always remember that the terrorist will strive to take advantage of all weaknesses in the government’s approach and we must ensure that these are reduced to the barest minimum.
“This is a call to immediate action, which we all must answer, as victory by one is victory by all. Our motto, therefore, should be mutual interest, mutual gain, and mutual respect.”
Meanwhile Boko Haram has killed five traders in an ambush on a highway in northeast Nigeria that was recently reopened after coming under repeated attack from the Islamist group, a military source said Wednesday.
A convoy of vehicles carrying Nigerian immigration officials and a group of traders were travelling from Gamboru, on the border with Cameroon, to the city of Maiduguri when they came under fire on Monday.
“Three (immigration) officers were hit and injured in the fire exchange. The immigration men drove off towards Maiduguri, leaving the traders behind,” an army officer told AFP on condition of anonymity.
The five traders had joined the official convoy thinking it would be a safer way to reach the Borno state capital than travelling the notorious road alone.
The traders’ two trucks were looted and set alight, Gamboru resident Umar Ari told AFP by phone, also confirming the toll of five dead.
The Gamboru to Maiduguri highway is a strategic 140-kilometre (87-mile) trade route in the region, and provides an important link with neighbouring Cameroon.
The highway was closed for safety reasons at the height of the Boko Haram unrest some two years ago, but was reopened by the Nigerian authorities following a string of successes against the militants.
“Since the Maiduguri-Gamboru highway was reopened two months ago convoys of trucks carrying goods and other vehicles conveying traders have been coming to Gamboru under military escort without any incident,” said resident Ari.
Boko Haram, which seeks to impose strict Islamic law in northern Nigeria, has been blamed for some 20,000 deaths and displacing more than 2.6 million people since 2009.
A counter-offensive spearheaded by Nigeria since January last year has recaptured swathes of territory lost to the Islamist militants in 2014.
But sporadic attacks continue and security remains a major concern in the region.
