Terror alerts: Lives of Nigerians not endangered, security situation not dismal – NSA Monguno

In stout defence of the nation’s security chiefs against the terror attack alerts by the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries in Abuja and other high risk areas of the country, the Federal Government says the situation on ground is not all that dire.

The National Security Adviser, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, who spoke on behalf of the government on Monday, said Nigerian citizens are not in danger.

Persecondnews had reported that U.S., UK, Germany, Ireland, Denmark and Canada had issued terror alerts and travel advisories to their citizens and nationals in Nigeria, warning them to avoid travelling to Nigeria, particularly Abuja, because of potential terror attacks going by intelligence reports.

Monguno spoke at a media briefing with State House correspondents at the end of an emergency security meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The briefing was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyema, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt.-Gen. General Lucky Irabor, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.

Monguno described the panic that followed the terror alerts addressed to its citizens in Nigeria was “unnecessary because the hype and the sense of insecurity it created were unfounded.’’

Urging Nigerians and other citizens to go about their normal daily activities, the NSA assured that the armed forces, security agencies and intelligence organizations are “continuing with their mandate to keep every Nigerian and every area of the nation secure.’’

Persecondnews also reports that the security meeting was attended by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, the Defence Minister, retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi and his Interior Ministry counterpart, Mr Rauf Aregbesola.

Others are the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, the Chief of Defence Staff, Irabor, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya, and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj.-Gen. Samuel Adebayo, also attended the meeting.