Na- tional Security Adviser (NSA), Major Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd)

By Babatunde Ayankunle

THE biggest challenge before the country is insecurity. Bandits, kidnappers and insurgents have seized the nation by its throat, with security agencies seemingly helpless.

Nowhere is safe, whether South, East, North or West. Political and traditional leaders in these places are worried.

During a visit by some southern traditional rulers, President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged their concerns and promised to do something about the security architecture.

Ahead of the inauguration of his cabinet on August 21, tongues are wagging on who will become the National Security Adviser (NSA) so as to address the crucial issue of law and order.

To analysts, whoever is so appointed should have the capacity to do the job. Names are already being bandied as to who can occupy the exalted seat.

They include the NSA, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd), former Interior Minister Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd), Maj.-Gen. S. D. Aliyu (retd), and Ambassador Ahmed Rufai.

The President has been quiet on Monguno whose name keeps popping up as a frontrunner for the job, especially within military circle.

Appointed as NSA on July 13, 2015, to replace Dasuki Sambo, Monguno was, before his retirement in 2013, Chief of Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), from July 2009 to 2011. His last assignment in the army was Commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), from January to September 2013.

As NSA, Monguno witnessed the worst of terrorist battles when his village in Borno State was temporarily captured by Boko Haram. But, the village was retaken, within days, in coordinated air and ground attacks.

At a time when Nigeria’s fragile unity is on the brink, Monguno’s ability to speak the country’s three major languages, Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa fluently, as well as Idoma, isc a plus.

Unlike the Service chiefs, Monguno’s work is unseen, because it is strategic. The Office of NSA coordinates security matters for the Office of the President. These include all the military formations, purchase of military hardware, security and safety of Nigerians both within and outside the country, curtailing smuggling at the borders. The work of the office is enormous..

For Dambazau, the immediate past Interior Minister, was Chief of Army Staff between 2008 and 2010. He held command and staff positions before he became army chief in 2008.

Former Lagos State military administrator and chairman, Committee on Drug Abuse Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Marwa (retd) is reported to be relying on his relationship with close allies to the President to get the top job.

Aliyu said to be on good terms with former Vice President Abubakar Atiku, is also being tipped for the NSA office.

Buratai, according to pundits, may be considered for the job, if he quits as army chief. There have been talks of his having stayed too long in office. Shortly after his appointment, he survived allegations of having illegally acquired a property in Dubai.

Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI) Air Vice Marshall (AVM) Mohammed Saliu Usman is another contender for the job.

National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director Ahmed Rufa’i was secretary to the Babagana Kingibe Committee which reviewed findings of the Vice President’s committee on the about $43 million found by the Economic and Financial Crimes Committee (EFCC) in an apartment belonging to wife of a former NIA Director-General.

Lawal Daura, a former Department of State Service (DSS) Director-General, is believed to have the President’s ears. He was asked to go after masked DSS operatives laid siege to the National Assembly complex and prevented lawmakers and civil servants from entering the building.

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