Unic Press UK: The National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, has accused the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari, of interfering with the work of security/defense agencies in a way that undermines the internal security of Nigeria.
In a confidential letter 9 December 2019 that has become public knowledge as it was leaked/published in local news outfits in the country, Monguno, a retired Major General warned the heads of defense and security agencies over unprofessional practices and “glaring breaches” of procedure should they not desist from taking directives from the Chief of Staff whose jobs as it relates to security stops at conveying Mr President’s written directives.
The National Security Adviser added that the meddlesome activities of the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, who has been holding meetings with diplomats, security chiefs and heads of agencies, have “ruptured our security and defense efforts”.
Monguno reminded the heads of defense and security agencies that as the National Security Adviser, he (Monguno) chairs the Intelligence Community Committee, Joint Intelligence Board and General Security Appraisal Committee on behalf of the President and the supervising ministers of defense and security agencies.
The full text of the letter, which was delivered to President Buhari, Inspector General of Police, Director General of the State Security Service, Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Minister of Defense, Hon. Minister of Interior, Hon. Minister of Police Affairs, and Chief of Staff, reads:
DISRUPTION OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY FRAMEWORK BY UNWARRANTED MEDDLESOMENESS
References:
A. SH/COS/46/2/1429 dated 13 September 2019
B. SH/COS/26/5/A/2609 dated 26 November 2019
References A and B were sent in response to the request for presidential intervention to sustain internal security operations of the police within the shortest possible time. However the contents of the 2 references were in variance with Mr President’s verbal directives.
Consequently, ONSA scrutinized the documents further and sought clarification from Mr President who has directed that Reference B be disregarded by all parties as it was sent without his endorsement.
2. While it is expected that all heads of security agencies, having spent many years in service would understand means of passing directives from the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, it may be necessary to remind all, in the face of glaring breaches to that procedure.
For clarification, other than direct verbal directives from the President, written directives emanating from Mr President would be conveyed with a copy of his manuscript directive or at minimum, bear his signature.
Additionally, Mr President may convey directives to the heads of defence and security apparatus through the NSA who chairs the Intelligence Community Committee, Joint Intelligence Board and General Security Appraisal Committee on behalf of the President and the supervising ministers of defence and security agencies.
It should be noted that the Chief of Staff to the President does not direct security apparatus of the Federal Republic of Nigeria — his job as it relates to security stops at conveying Mr President’s written directives.
3. Similarly, you are reminded that the Chief of Staff to the President is not a presiding head of security, neither is he sworn to an oath of defending the country.
As such, unprofessional practices such as presiding over meetings with service chiefs and heads of security organisations as well as ambassadors and high commissioners to the exclusion of the NSA and/or supervising ministers are a violation of the Constitution and directly undermine the authority of Mr President.
Such acts and continuous meddlesomeness by the Chief of Staff have not only ruptured our security and defence efforts but have slowed down any meaningful gain that Mr President has sought to achieve.
4. As professionals, you are aware that the security of the Federal Republic of Nigeria requires concerted and centralized effort taking into account internal, external and diplomatic factors.
It is therefore detrimental to our collective security that the Chief of Staff who is a non-supervising minister holds meetings with diplomats, security chiefs and heads of agencies.
5. Pursuant to the foregoing, you are by this letter directed to desist from these illegal acts that serve nothing but the continuous undermining of our national security framework. Any breach of this directive will attract displeasure of Mr President.
Babagana Monguno
Major-General (rtd)
National Security Adviser
December 9, 2019.
