The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Tuesday, in Abuja, said his regime had sufficiently degraded terrorists whose activities destabilised Nigeria’s North-East in a 13-year battle.
He also noted that his government was tackling oil theft head-on, especially with the interception of over 220 vessels involved in maritime criminality within Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone, since 2018 to date.
Buhari also said the Nigerian Navy’s campaign against crude oil theft had led to the arrest of over 87 oil tankers, recovering 15 million litres of petrol and diesel and preserving over three million barrels of crude oil from theft.
According to a statement signed on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said this when he unveiled the new Office of the National Security Adviser and National Counterterrorism Centre.
The statement is titled ‘President Buhari unveils game changing national counterterrorism centre, new ONSA building.’
On the threat of terrorism, which was labelled as a major security challenge facing the country when he assumed office in 2015, the President said, “I can confidently state here today that we have achieved significant milestones in degrading the major threat and restoring normalcy to most of the hitherto securitised areas in the North-East.
“These areas previously occupied by terrorists have been freed and Internally Displaced Persons are voluntarily returning to their homes.
“This was largely achieved through the valiant efforts of our Armed Forces and other security agencies in collaboration with our regional and international partners but above all, the support and cooperation of the Nigerian citizens.”
On maritime security, Buhari expressed delight that some key threats within Nigeria’s Maritime Environment such as piracy, sea robbery, crude oil theft as well as illegal unregulated and unreported fishing were being effectively tackled.
He said between August 2018 and March 2023, over 220 vessels involved in maritime criminality within Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone, up to the Republic of Togo, had been prosecuted.
Therefore, he commended the Falcon Eye maritime domain awareness project, domiciled with the Nigerian Navy and coordinated by the ONSA, for providing high-quality real-time intelligence, leading to the arrest and prosecution of economic saboteurs.
He added that over 87 oil tankers involved in various crude oil and product theft have been arrested, the theft of over three million barrels of crude oil was prevented and 15 million litres of petrol and diesel recovered.
“Recent commendations from the International Maritime Organisation, European Union and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to Nigeria on our efforts in reducing maritime criminality in the Gulf of Guinea and successful prosecution of pirates in the region are worth mentioning,” he said.
On cyber threats, the President said his government had established the Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team and revised the National Cyber Security Policy and Strategy in February 2021.
He promised to endorse the Presidential Order for the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure soon.
On the newly inaugurated facilities, the President described the secure and hi-tech offices as a demonstration of his administration’s firm commitment to ensure national security capabilities are kept abreast with the highest global standards.
Congratulating the National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd.) and his team for the achievement, the President expressed confidence that the new facilities would in no small measure enhance the desired peaceful and secure environment for our country.
In his address of welcome, Monguno said the new office for the NCTC was designed to accommodate the additional workforce and improve technological capabilities of the centre, particularly the Exclusive Devices Analysis Office, increasing activities of countering violent extremism department and joint terrorism analysis branch.
He thanked the President for his regime’s investment strategy in legacy infrastructure projects and also acknowledged the support of the National Assembly.
In his goodwill message, the UN Resident Coordinator for Nigeria, Matthias Schmale, commended Buhari and his government for championing the NCTC, saying “this is no doubt part of your legacy that will enable Nigeria continue to address domestic and regional security challenges”.
Schmale, who was represented by the Peace and Advisor, Office of the Resident Coordinator (UN Nigeria), Kimaris Toogood, also pledged that the UN would continue to be a strong partner and supporter of Nigeria’s efforts to address the issues of insecurity and terrorism.
