Nigerian Security Agencies Strengthen Strategies To Secure Intelligence-Sharing Mechanisms.

By Helen Udoh,Outlook Media ABUJA.

Nigerian Security Agencies have made their commitment to strengthen strategies aimed at intelligence-sharing mechanisms to counter security threats and enhance national security.

The commitment made on Thursday in Abuja at a joint press briefing by Security Defence and Response Agencies, under the auspices of the Strategic Communications Interagency Advisory Policy Committee, coordinated by ONSA.

The committee serves as the umbrella body for the spokespersons of all Nigerian security and response agencies, facilitating unified and strategic communication to highlight the collective activities of agencies over the past year.

Addressing the press conference, the Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Abuja, Maj-Gen Edward Buba noted that the key successes recorded in the last one year was as a result of robust interagency collaboration.

He said,”I must add that these activities are as a result of our coordinated efforts to enhance national security and protect the lives and property of our citizens. It is important to emphasize that the key successes and achievements recorded in the last one year has been the robust interagency collaboration. These collaborations has ensured that our security operations are comprehensive, strategic, and effective.

“Meanwhile, it is worthy of note to state that not all of our results can be reported at this time. This is as a result of the sensitive nature of some information linked to ongoing operations. Nevertheless, we would share as much as we can from the security and defence sector. This we believe will go a long way to counter misinformation, disinformation and fake news.He said.

“We also hope to galvanize support of citizens for ongoing operations across the country as well as involved them in dealing with the security challenges in the country.”

Declaring sectoral updates, Gen. Buba stated that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has been pivotal in coordinating national security strategies and ensuring synergy among various security agencies.

“During the period under review, ONSA successfully hosted the High-Level Africa Counter-Terrorism Meeting. The meeting brought together African Heads of Government, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who served as the host President, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, and leaders of other key global bodies.

“The discussions during the meeting focused on stability in the Sahel Region. Overall, at the end of it all, the discussions garnered significant commitments to combat terrorism and violent extremism. Relatedly, the Office facilitated the second leg of the UK-Nigeria security and defence dialogue, bringing together security and defence chiefs from both countries.

“Furthermore, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria, the ONSA initiated series of economic security measures against currency manipulators and speculators. The office also coordinated efforts in the areas of human security and food security. There were also significant interventions to resolve some national issues. All these are in consonance with an increasing population” centric approach to national security since the beginning of the administration,” he said.

He stated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) is in a good and strong position in this war against the terrorist and their cohorts, with many terrorist leaders killed.

“We are making them pay a much heavier price than we have been forced to pay. During the month of May 23 to Jun 24, the potency of the terrorists was largely degraded with 9,303 Terrorist neutralized, 6,988 terrorists including their logistic suppliers and informants arrested, while 4641 hostages were rescued.

“Notably, 9,562 Boko Haram/ISWAP combatant fighters and their families surrendered to security forces. In the fight against oil theft, 1,437 perpetrators were apprehended, with 363 neutralized.

“Additionally, 245 kidnapped hostages were rescued, leading to a marked improvement in prevention of crude oil theft. The joint operational environment coupled the synergy with other security and intelligence agencies greatly assisted in the optimal performance of troops in the conduct of operations,” he said.

Gen. Buba added that the increased patrols and international collaborations of the NN led to a substantial reduction in piracy incidents in the Gulf of Guinea.

According to him,”notable achievements in the last twelve months include the prevention of oil theft which denied the oil theft of an estimated sum of N91,247,052,565.

“Troops equally discovered and destroyed 3,051 dugout pits, 1,276 boats, 3,924 storage tanks, and 408 vehicles. Additionally, the NN anti crude oil theft operations recovered significant quantities of illegally refined petroleum products, amounting to millions of litres”.

In terms of intelligence, he stressed that the DSS and other intelligence agencies play a critical role in safeguarding national security through intelligence gathering and covert operations.

According to him, the seamless interagency coordination, ensured timely utilisation of provided intelligence.

“For instance, intelligence-led operations have prevented numerous terrorist attacks and criminal activities. Indeed, several high-profile terrorist Commanders and their associates were either taken off the battlefield or apprehended across multiple states. These prevented potential catastrophic incidents.

“Intelligence activities led to several confiscations which included illegal items such as IEDs, firearms, ammunition, and dangerous psychoactive substances.

“Over 21,000 pump action cartridges, 440 pump action rifles, and 228,741 rounds of ammunition were seized. Other items include seized suicide jackets and lethal weapons. These seizures prevented potential attacks on citizens and security forces.

“Additionally, criminal activities involving illicit petroleum products were disrupted and resulted in about 50,000 illicit litres of petroleum products being impounded. Furthermore, intelligence disseminated to the South-South region contributed significantly to a reduction in oil theft,”

He disclosed that new directorates were established to enhance transparency and democratic principles, promoting security and economic stability through intelligence-sharing initiatives.

“The intelligence community continues to provide both foreign and domestic intelligence services that are timely and actionable to Government.

“Our Intelligence activities keep a tap on dissidents, secessionists and transnational organized crime involving Nigerians such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, cybercrime, money laundering, and immigration-related crimes.

“Additionally, the DSS collaborated with foreign services in furthering common national, regional and international priorities set by Government. This led to effective representation of the country in regional and continental security platforms such as the ECOWAS, CISSA and other regional and continental organizations,” he stated.

The DDMO noted that significant achievements have also been recorded in the area of law enforcement, custodial management, anti-corruption efforts against cyber crime, emergency response, road safety, border governance, among others.

Considering the giant strides made within the period under review, Gen. Buba hinted that security agencies would focus on Strengthening intelligence-sharing mechanisms, and invest in advanced technologies and equipment to enhance the capabilities of security forces, among other strategies.

He said,”Looking ahead, security agencies will focus on the following strategic priorities: Strengthening intelligence-sharing mechanisms to pre-empt and counter security threats more effectively.

“Strengthen mechanisms to ensure a people-oriented approach to securing our communities.

“Invest in advanced technologies and equipment to enhance the capabilities of security forces.

“Deepen partnerships with international allies to tackle regional and global security challenges and leverage best practices.”

He assured that they are working to address insecurity and ensure the of citizens, as he urged citizens, NGOs, religious communities, and other stakeholders to support efforts of the security forces.

“We are working decisively to address insecurity and ensure the safety of citizens. It must be reiterated that the lifeline of the terrorist and other forms of insecurity is the people. Accordingly, winning the war without the support of the people is close to impossible.

“It is for this reason, we call on all citizens, the private sector, NGOs, religious communities, and other stakeholders to support efforts of the security forces. Through the strength of our interagency collaboration, we have achieved so much and it is indicative that much more can still be achieved and will be achieved.

“Overall, Together, we can achieve even greater security and prosperity for our country. We would continue to strive for a safer and more secure nation,” he stated.source:dailytidenews online.