Major Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd)/Nigeria Defense Minister
Numerous residents of the Federal Capital Territory, or FCT, gathered on Monday at the Abuja Unity Fountain to demonstrate against the lack of security and the security forces' failure to stop the waves of kidnapping and murder that were sweeping the city.
Speaking under the auspices of the Guardians of Democracy and Development Initiative (GDDI), the outraged youths questioned why the Minister of Defense, Major Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd), and the National Security Adviser, Major Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd), were powerless in the face of numerous intelligence reports about planned attacks on Abuja, including the attack on Kuje Prison where 66 terrorist commanders and kingpins were released.
As a result, Comrade Danesi Momoh, one of the group's leaders, suggested that President Muhammadu Buhari immediately sack the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd), and the Defence Minister, Maj. Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd), for their incapability to manage the security issues that are destroying the nation.
The protesters carried several placards requesting that the President relieve Generals Monguno and Magashi of their duties and appoint competent individuals in their place as they marched through the streets of Abuja to voice their concern over the country's ongoing serial killings, kidnappings, and insecurity.
Some of the demonstrators' messages on their placards read;
“Defence Minister is incompetent, sack him now”, “Magashi must go”, “We say no to incompetent NSA and Defence Minister”, “Defence Minister Must Go”, “Sack Monguno now”.
The organization issued a warning, saying they would have no choice but to join forces with others calling for President Buhari's resignation or impeachment if he does not heed their request to fire the pair.
Comrade Momoh and Mr. Igwe Ide-Umanta, a Co-convener of the group, further justified their demand for the NSA's dismissal.
We wish to start with the statement credited to the National Security Adviser himself, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd), where he was quoted as saying:
"People are getting tired and are beginning to gravitate into other means of self-help,"
“Truth is that Nigerians are not just getting tired; we are suffocated, frustrated, threatened, apprehensive, and completely uncertain about our safety and that of our loved ones.
“We cannot continue this way, and both the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Minister of Defence Know that.
“We have had to tolerate a National Security Adviser who has no record of achievement in his seven (7) years in office. And right under his supervision, intelligence has been ignored (as has now been exposed by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives).
“There is no proactively and no evidence of any practical input from him in addressing National Security before its total collapse status.
“On the part of the Minister of Defence, he has no innovation, inspiration and the right professional touch to lead such important Ministry at a critical time like this.
“In fact, he appears too frail, tired and out of touch with contemporary security realities and defence strategies. Thus he has no business being there. Mr. President should show mercy to the citizens and deploy a better hand and brain.
“Back to the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd), we must also note that his statement as quoted above suggests that he too is tired, frustrated and has no idea of what to do.
“He has never done anything before and cannot be expected to do anything other than the same seven (7) years old recycled rhetoric. Things can only worsen under such abysmally poor NSA.” They stated.
Source: Vanguard News
