NSA, military draw up national strategy on banditry, terrorism

The Office of the National Security Adviser and the armed forces
on Thursday in Abuja met to draw up a 2019 draft National Security
Strategy, a policy document to tackle banditry, small arms
proliferation, terrorism and kidnapping in the country.

The National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno
(retd.), said the 2019 strategy document would serve as a framework
of action to address security concerns, internal and external
threats facing Nigeria.

The last national security strategy document was adopted in 2014
under the former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.).

Monguno in his remarks at the validation session meeting of the
2019 National Security Strategy noted that the document was being
formulated to provide direction for the military and other
stakeholders in defeating the threats to Nigeria’s national
interests.

His address was read by the Director, Policy and Strategy
Office, Mr Aminu Lawwal.

The NSA said, “Nigeria has contended with various security
challenges which include terrorism, kidnapping, militancy, small
arms proliferation, banditry and pastoralists-farmers’ conflicts.
The security of Nigeria remains not just the primary concern of the
government but the number one and most important concern.

“Every security challenge, irrespective of where it occurs,
potentially puts at risk the livelihood and well-being of
citizens.

“The strategy will place emphasis on human security in order to
enhance the social wellbeing of the citizenry. Therefore, we need
to address socio-economic concerns such as poverty and unemployment
as well as corruption, security and the economy which are the key
focal points of this administration.

“The National Security Strategy document is designed to be
reviewed after a five-year period or as the contemporary
environment dictates. It is in this light that a committee was
convened to collate inputs from a wide range of stakeholders
comprising ministries, departments, agencies, civil society
organisations and security experts.

“Most of the threats identified in the 2014 document are still
present with us. We must thus continuously assess the current and
future threat environment and develop appropriate resilience and
capacity.”

The Chairman of the Review Committee and former ambassador to
Angola, Layiwola Laseinde, said some new security threats currently
facing the country necessitated a review of the 2014 document.

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