Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Minister of Interior, on Thursday, said peculiar orders have been given by President Muhammadu Buhari to security chiefs in respect of “all those challenging the sovereignty of Nigeria”.
Aregbesola stated this while briefing newsmen at the end of the National Security Council (NSC) meeting presided over by his principal at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Ogbeni Aregbesola said President Buhari appreciated the successes and gains recorded by all security chiefs, the security agencies and intelligence organizations on security situation nationwide after he received briefs from them at the meeting.
According to the minister: “Specific orders have been given to all our security agencies. And we’ll see an improved response to all those challenging the sovereignty of Nigeria in whatever form and creating insecurity in whatever form anywhere.
“The council, today took firm decision on what to be done and I can assure Nigerians that with the charge from the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces today (Thursday), there will be an improved response to all forms of criminality in any part of Nigeria.”
It was reported that separatist agitations have taken a new turn since the emergence of the current administration in 2015, with separatists like Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho leading the charge.
Present at the meeting on Thursday were Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (retd) and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General LEO Irabor.
Also present were the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staff as well as the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Baba Alkali.
Before the commencement of the meeting, President Buhari, with the assistance of Vice President Osinbajo, had decorated his Aide De Camp (ADC) Lt Col Yusuf Mukhtar Dodo, with his new red neck rank of Colonel.
Don’t be after the agitators, but be after the reason for the agitation and address it.