The National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), has said that “horrible” security challenges facing Katsina and other states cannot be successfully tackled without involving the people.
He stated this on Tuesday while leading a high-powered Federal Government delegation to commiserate with the government and people of the state over the recent spate of wanton killings and destruction of property by bandits.
Monguno was accompanied on the journey by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Muhammad Adamu; Director-General of DSS, Magashi Bichi; NIA Director-General, Rufai Ahmed; and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Air Vice Marshall Mohammed Usman.
The delegation visited Governor Aminu Masari and the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmuminu Kabir Usman.
The NSA, while deploring the killings, emphasised that security remains a centre-piece of Nigeria’s development strategy.
Giving an insight on how the security challenges would be curtailed, Monguno said, “We are going to look at the areas specified in the national security strategy to bring an end to the current threats facing not just Katsina State but other states –Zamfara, Kaduna, Sokoto and Kebbi and so on and so forth.”
He added that, “we need to build the confidence of local communities in those who are supposed to protect them.”
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He conveyed President Muhammadu Buhari’s concerns over the killings which he described as horrible and unacceptable.
The NSA emphasised that the Federal Government would be working hand in hand with the state government to find a lasting solution to the security challenges, adding that the delegation had learnt where gaps exist in this much-needed partnership.