Nigeria Faces New Far Reaching Threat – Magashi
By Ndidi Okodili
The Minister of Defence Major General Salihu Magashi (rtd) on Monday raised the alarm that the prevailing security challenges have opened Nigeria to a new dimension of food insecurity threat.
He observed that the prevalence of the current has endangered not only national security but food security as well.
According to him: “Food security has been adversely affected with the attendant rise in the prices of foodstuff across the country which portends a new dimension of threat.
“This makes it imperative for the various security agencies in the country to continue to collaborate to tackle these menaces in order to create an enabling atmosphere for economic activities to thrive and to attract Foreign Direct Investment”.
Magashi spoke at the Defence Advisers/Attachés annual conference organized by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
He said: ” A look at the security challenges in Nigeria today reveals new dimensions with increasing agitations for secession.
“In the North East, attacks by Boko Haram Terrorists (BH) and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) continue to pose serious security threats in Nigeria.
“In the North-West and North-Central Zones, the activities of armed bandits, armed herders/militia attacks and kidnappers are prevalent.
“The littoral states in the South-South region are plagued with illegal oil bunkering, piracy and militancy while the South-East is challenged with secessionist activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
“The South-West region is equally faced with secessionist inclination driven by ethnic agitators as well as occasional tension between herders and farmers. Distinguishing the threats Nigeria is currently facing and understanding their socio-geographic context is pivotal for adapting appropriate and lasting counter-measures.
“Regrettably, the prevalence of these threats has continued to endanger not only national security and economic growth but food security as well. In particular, it also means that the security agencies must explore all avenues within their respective systems to come up with innovative ways of identifying and confronting the challenges facing us as a nation”.
He added: “The concept of Defence Attaché System has come a long way in the annals of Nigeria’s history. Today, we cover over 90 countries and four international organizations. The scope of your responsibilities has also increased from mere liaison with friendly nations to being the progenitors of contemporary defence diplomacy.
“No doubt many countries including Nigeria have continued to devise new strategies for improved defence and security systems in order to meet up with ever-evolving security challenges.
“The recent achievements of the military and security agencies by taking the fight from all angles to the doorsteps of the adversaries is reassuring.
“Already, in the North East region alone, over 14,000 Boko Haram Terrorists have surrendered. Meanwhile, to support the country’s surge approach to fighting banditry, the Nigerian Armed Forces have recruited over 17,000 personnel.”
National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd), observed that Defence Attachés are “valuable envoys”.
– The Nation
