Applause has continued to trail a move on Thursday by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) to cede its active bi-briefing platform, Defence Media Operations (DMO), to the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) and form a bigger body of all security spokespersons to disseminate information.
The security and defence sector reverberated with the news of the new move especially among applauding defence correspondents who now see it as good opportunity to track and engage spokespersons of all military, para-military, defense, security, intelligence and emergency response agencies who now have to gather under one roof for briefings.
It was also gathered that the NSA left stern directives that all the spokespersons must be prompt, prepare to take questions from journalists and must not send proxies or representatives but attend in person or face appropriate sanctions. For example, a spokesperson of a key service (name withheld) who allegedly sent a deputy to represent him was refused a seat and asked to appear in person. He did.
The move, according to sources, is in sync with efforts by the NSA to rein in all defence, security and response agencies to adopt a holistic and forward-looking approach to the nation’s security challenges. It is to serve as a one-stop information shop for security agencies to strengthen intelligence-sharing mechanisms towards countering security threats and enhance national security.
The move by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, said to have been unveiled at his meeting last month with spokespersons threw up a newly-created Strategic Communications Interagency Advisory Policy Committee (SCIAPC) to be coordinated by the ONSA to expand DHQ’s DMO which is believed to have been highly-appraised in top quarters as an active, resourceful, credible and popular flagship news dissemination platform to uptake all other spokespersons across the nation’s security ecosystem.
Head of Strategic Communication, ONSA, Mallam Zakari Mijinyawa while underscoring SCIAPC’s creation, said that the joint platform would serve as the umbrella body for the spokespersons of all Nigerian security and response agencies to facilitate unified and strategic communication to highlight the collective activities of agencies.
He noted that Thursday’s inaugural briefing was an overview of the activities and accomplishments of the agencies over the past year. He further disclosed that the venue of successive briefings of the interagency committee will be rotated among the respective agencies.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba who was visibly elated described the development as an endorsement of the philosophy of synergy and jointness of operations which the CDS, General Christopher Musa had always emphasized and guided all actions and activities of the DHQ flowing from his vision for the Armed Forces of Nigeria under his leadership.
Major General Edward Buba maintained that nation was lucky to have the present top echelon as one of the best, brightest and patriotically committed to nation building as a fully cohesive team. According to him, the joint briefing had a treasure trove of positive information because of the commitment of the military generals, commanders and the troops.
He noted that the huge activities of the past year were outcomes of coordinated efforts to enhance national security and protect the lives and property of our citizens.
‘’It is important to emphasize that the key to the successes and achievements recorded in the last year has been the robust interagency collaboration. These collaborations have ensured that our security operations are comprehensive, strategic, and effective’’, he said, pointing out that the joint briefings would present their reports at the same time and on the same spot.
“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. We also hope to galvanize the support of citizens for ongoing operations across the country as well as involve them in dealing with the security challenges in the country”, he said.
ONSA
Major General Edward Buba said that ONSA was pivotal in coordinating national security strategies and ensuring synergy among various security agencies. According to him, during the period under review, ONSA successfully hosted the High-Level Africa Counter-Terrorism Meeting.
He noted that the meeting which focused on stability in the Sahel Region and garnered significant commitments against terrorism and violent extremism was brought together by the 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.
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 a 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.
Armed Forces of Nigeria
The Armed Forces of Nigeria are in a good and strong position in this war against the terrorists and their cohorts, with many terrorist leaders killed.
‘’As the military is making terrorists pay a much heavier price than they have been forced to pay, 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 the prevention of crude oil theft. The joint operational environment coupled with synergy with other security and intelligence agencies greatly assisted in the optimal performance of troops in the conduct of operations.
Maritime Security
The Director stressed that the increased patrols and international collaborations of the Nigerian Navy led to a substantial reduction in piracy incidents in the Gulf of Guinea.
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 Nigerian Navy anti-crude oil theft operations recovered significant quantities of illegally refined petroleum products, amounting to millions of litres.
Intelligence
According to him, noting that the Department of State Security, DSS and other intelligence agencies play a critical role in safeguarding national security through intelligence gathering and covert operations,
he said that “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, he added.
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 and other achievements were recorded.
Law Enforcement
He said that the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies undertook significant reforms and operations to enhance public safety. These included restructuring and reforming the intelligence department and reopening the Nigeria Police Intelligence School.
The launch of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) as well as collaboration with international partners, alongside the Schools Protection Initiative and the deployment of helicopters for train escorts along the Abuja-Kaduna route to enhance security measures.
Digital support systems like the Nigeria Police Force Rescue Me App have been relaunched, leading to significant successes. The Nigeria Police during the year, arrested 4,796 armed robbery suspects, 3,068 kidnap suspects, 2,474 suspects for rape/sexual crimes, and 1,213 suspects for unlawful possession of firearms, among others such as 3,523 suspected cultists, 3,381 suspects for murder/homicide, and 13,382 suspects for other offences.
Additionally, 1,713 kidnap hostages were rescued, 2,566 firearms and 19,310 rounds of ammunition were recovered, along with 1,465 vehicles/motorcycles. Also, during the period under review, the Nigerian police prosecuted 29,052 cases.
Of these, 7,675 cases were conclusively dispensed, 11,376 suspects are currently undergoing trial, 51 cases are under appeal in appellate courts, and 16,200 cases resulted in the conviction of suspects who have received various punishments for their criminal acts.
Similarly, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) recorded significant feats to bolster internal security and secure critical infrastructure. The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps established the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre (NSSRCC).
The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps foiled over 48 school attacks and kidnap attempts nationwide during the period. They equally launched the CG’s Mining Marshall. These Mining Marshals combated illegal mining activities, dismantling 1,975 illegal mining sites and 165 illegal local refineries. The illegal refining sites were uncovered and dismantled. The Corps also enhanced communication initiatives and promoted public awareness and sensitization programs.
Custodial Management
According to him, the pivotal role in law enforcement played by Custodial management would not be over-emphasised, noting that
Custodial management ensured the proper care, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates into society.
During the last year, the Nigerian Correctional Service focused on enhancing custodial practices achieved through enhanced inmate training and productivity, increased revenue from Correctional Farm Centres and Vocational Skill Workshops as well as educational advancements for inmates.
Inmate welfare was improved through the distribution of beddings, uniforms, and hygiene materials, coupled with access to healthcare services. “Efforts to decongest custodial centres through fines, renovations, and expansions have been significant. Meanwhile, staff welfare enhancements saw the promotion of over 10,000 officers and men, and improved working conditions”, he said.
Anti-Corruption Crusade/ Efforts To Combat Cybercrime
The lead agencies in the fight against corrupt practices namely, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) evolved anti-corruption initiatives that have been significant in maintaining law and order. Some of the initiatives resulted in the recovery and forfeiture of assets.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) made significant progress in the fight against economic and financial crimes by securing 3,412 convictions and recovering vast sums of money both in local and foreign denominations.He noted that the EFCC has taken several bold steps to combat corruption, including the investigation of several politically exposed persons including former ministers and governors.
It launched a crackdown on internet fraudsters and currency racketeers, securing over 50 convictions amongst others.
Nigeria Customs Service
The Nigerian Customs Service generated exceptional revenue of about 4 Trillion (₦3,991,988,348,853.32). Some trade facilitation initiatives deployed by the customs included the implementation of the Time Release Study (TRS), the Advance Ruling system, and the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program.
Additionally, officers’ skills and automated processes were enhanced through capacity building and technological advancements. Through upgraded infrastructure development, the customs strengthened its operational capacity. Also, Strengthened stakeholder engagement facilitated a more integrated approach to customs operations. Overall, significant seizures of contraband goods, illegal arms and narcotics contributed to national security efforts.
Nigeria Immigration Service
According to him, Nigerian immigration through the implementation of the e-Border Project deployed e-Gates solutions for border governance.
Additionally, the immigration service enhanced border patrol and surveillance through the launch of 30 operational vehicles.
During this period, the Immigration Service completed several Infrastructure development projects such as the e-Border Data Centre. Also, the Command and Control Center for operations of the API/PNR system was completed, while E-gates for passenger clearance at 5 major international airports were deployed.
The full automation of passport processing significantly improved service delivery. Additionally, the Integration of solar power systems ensured uninterrupted operations of the service. Also, technological upgrades facilitated seamless integration with border control systems. The immigration service also conducted public sensitization and enlightenment to raise awareness about the dangers of irregular migration.
Emergency Response
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps are the lead agencies in providing emergency response. Their activities have been effective in achieving national resilience and security.
The Agency distributed food and livelihood items to farmers affected by floods and Nigerians impacted by various disasters across the 36 States and FCT under a Special National Empowerment and Livelihood Initiative (SNELEI).
The National Emergency Management Agency also stepped up timely response in the coordination of intervention efforts in the forms of search and rescue in various disaster situations such as fire incidents in Lagos, Adamawa, Maiduguri, explosions in Ibadan and Kano, etc.
The National Emergency Management Agency also conducted a detailed assessment of these disaster incidents in collaboration with the State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) and provided relief support to the affected persons.
The National Emergency Management Agency also delivered 42,000 metric tonnes of food commodities nationwide and provided relief to communities affected by the drone incident in Kaduna State.
Federal Road Safety Corp Key Achievements
The Federal Road Safety Corp achieved notable reductions in road traffic crashes (RTC). The addition of patrol vehicles, ambulances, tow trucks, and motorbikes improved response capabilities. The construction of office complexes and the establishment of area and unit commands enhanced the operational efficiency of the Corp. Additionally, the Federal Road Safety Corp during the year introduced new laws such as the FRSC Training Institution Establishment Act, 2023, as well as, the Speed Limiter Pre-Fixing Regulation 2024. These have had a significant impact in improving road safety measures.
Additionally, the Federal Road Safety Corp collaborates with Dangote Group in improving road infrastructure and safety measures in several areas. The Corp also
recruited 3,537 personnel during the period.
Major General Edward Buba concluded by saying that security agencies will focus on: 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, and deepen partnerships with international allies to tackle regional and global security challenges and leverage best practices.
It will be recalled that in March 2020, former Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin (retd) established the DMO as a Directorate of Defence Media Operations (DDMO) with Major General John Enenche (retd) as pioneer Coordinator, it was to serve as a special media operations to coordinate joint information management on all combat and peace-keeping operations of troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).
After Enenche, it has had three helmsmen. Its pioneer director, Late Major General Bernard Onyeuko, a fine combatant Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) 38 Regular Course mate of the current Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, was reputed as the architect of the DDMO’s giant strides which the incumbent, Major General Edward Buba, NDA 39 Regular Course mate of the current three Chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force, has taken to greater heights.
Major General Buba, a combatant officer of the Army Corps of Intelligence who coordinated intelligence during General Christopher Musa’s tenure as Theatre Commander of Operation HADI KAI was on July 3, 2023 appointed Director, Defence Media Operations of the DHQ by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja. He was Director Foreign Liaison at the Defence Intelligence Agency.
