Nigerian civilians are not in danger – Monguno
In response to travel advisories issued by the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as other foreign missions warning their citizens to avoid travelling to Nigeria, particularly Abuja, because of a potential terrorist attack in the city, the Federal Government stated on Monday that the security situation on the ground is not that bad to warrant the advisories.
After the emergency security meeting called by President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa in Abuja, the National Security Adviser, NSA, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd) told State House reporters that Nigerian civilians are not in danger.
With the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, by his side, Monguno claimed that the hype and sense of insecurity that the US terror alert that was sent to its citizens in Nigeria had generated were unfounded.
He asked Nigerians to go about their daily lives as usual. The NSA added that the mission of the military forces, security, and intelligence agencies is still to ensure the safety of every Nigerian in every region of the country.
Other dignitaries present at the meeting were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha; and the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari.
Others include the Minister of Defense, Major General Bashir Magashi (retd); Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; and Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi.
Service Chiefs present were the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, the Chief of Defense Intelligence, Major-General Samuel Adebayo and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao.
