Insecurity: NSA, service chiefs begin town hall meetings Monday

The Federal Government has concluded plans to hold town hall meetings on security situations across the geo-political regions.

The first of the meetings convened by the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd.), holding in Kaduna on February 15 will be attended by the heads of security agencies and the governors of the North-West.

According to a statement on Saturday from the Office of the NSA, the meetings are part of strategies to mobilise civil support against the rising insecurity in the country.

They are expected to provide direct assessment of the security situation, generate local feedback and recommendations, encourage geo-political synchronisation of efforts among states and also create a pathway to peace and security, the statement said.

The decision for the regional parley was taken at a meeting of the General Security Appraisal Committee hosted by the NSA February 11.

The statement said the GSAC meeting which was attended by the service chiefs and heads of law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies discussed the threats of kidnapping, terrorism, banditry, armed robbery and the resultant consequences of these threats on lives and property.

The meeting, it said, resolved to strengthen interagency coordination, stakeholders’ engagement and consultation in order to find solutions to the multiple security threats.

Working with the service chiefs and heads of security and intelligence agencies, the statement stated that the NSA is coordinating “a Whole -of -Government and Whole-of Society approach that cuts across the legislature, judiciary, ministries and departments , states and local governments and the civil society to ensure that every stakeholder plays a role in securing our towns and villages.”

The NSA, it noted, believed that addressing these threats called for the deployment of all national assets, including the cooperation of all Nigerians.

The Federal Government while expressing deep concern about the rising criminal activities, said it was taking major steps to strengthen the capacity of security agencies and implementing a multi-pronged strategy.

The government also said it was committed to working with the states and community leaders to strengthen peace and security of the country.

The statement said, “Consequently, the National Security Adviser will be leading a delegation of heads of federal law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies to the geo-political zones to hold town hall meetings with the state governors, traditional and religious leaders, members of the legislature, non-governmental, youth and women organisations.

“The first of the townhall meetings is scheduled to hold in Kaduna State on Monday, 15 February 2021 with all seven governors of the North-Western states.”