President Muhammadu Buhari, has ordered security agencies to intensify surveillance and patrol activities along the Abuja-Kaduna Road.
Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed this to State House Correspondents on Thursday after the National Security Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Aregebesola also disclosed that the regime is impressed by the recently concluded governorship elections in Anambra State which saw the emergence of the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Charles Soludo as governor-elect.
According to him, “The police and other security agencies had been mobilised to intensify surveillance, patrol and pursuit of criminals. And it’s not only about Abuja-Kaduna.
“Yes, Abuja-Kaduna belt was discussed specifically, but we appreciate the fact that we are in the season of festivity. So, all agencies are committed to providing security for Nigeria and the maintenance of law and order.
“They have been ordered to improve their activities, intensify surveillance and minimise, if not eliminate, any threat to law and order anywhere in Nigeria.”
The minister said the Police is the lead agency on internal security. Therefore, maintenance of Law and Order will start with the police and then extend to all the other security agencies.
Speaking further, Aregbesola said that specific orders have been given to all security agencies. He said Nigerians should expect to see an improved response to all those challenging the sovereignty of Nigeria in whatever form.
“The council today took a 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, there will be an improved response to all forms of criminality in any part of Nigeria,
“The armed forces of Nigeria and other security agencies, intelligence organisations, must not rest on their oars, as we are making progress in our effort to eliminate insurgency, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and all the other criminalities because Nigerians deserve to live in peace,” he affirmed
Giving details about the issues discussed at the meeting, the Minister said that Buhari, while commending the Independent National Electoral Commission and the security agencies for ensuring a safe governorship election in Anambra, charged them not to rest on their oars as the country is still being ravaged by criminal and terrorist activities.
“The President received briefs from Service Chiefs and from the security agencies and intelligence organisations on the state of security nationwide.
“While appreciating the successes and gains made by all the security agencies from the armed forces of Nigeria to the police and other intelligence organisations, as well as other security agencies, he believes that more must still and should still be done.
“But he commended all of them for the progress we are recording on all fronts. The President was particularly happy with the fact that a free and fair election was made possible by the INEC and our security agencies.
“The President was particularly happy about the free and fair governorship election in Anambra. And he was quite happy that the combination of INEC and the security agencies, from the military to the police and all the other agencies made that possible with the support of the people of Anambra and the government of Anambra. And we all saw the outcome,” he said.
He said with the successes recorded, there is no doubt as to the regime’s commitment to promoting democracy and ensuring that 2023 is not threatened.
Speaking further, the minister said that the council was briefed about the election of a Nigerian, AIG Garba Umaru, who emerged out of four other candidates, as the vice president of Interpol for Africa.
He said “this means that a Nigerian today represents the 54 African nations at the Interpol level.
“The election took place today, a couple of hours ago. And he emerged as the vice president of Interpol in Africa. That too was discussed, appreciated and applauded.”
Before the commencement of the meeting, the President decorated his Aide-De-Camp, Lt Col Yusuf Dodo, with his new rank of Colonel.
In attendance were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari; National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd.) and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor.
Also at the meeting were the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staff, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali, and wife of the ADC, Dr Hindatu Bashir.
