The Coalition of Northern Elders for Peace and Development (CNEPD) has called for the immediate sack of the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (Rtd) over the attack on the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna State on Tuesday.
Recall that TheNewsBeam reported that gunmen attacked the permanent site of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna State in the early hours of Tuesday, 24th August, 2021, killing two officers and kidnapping one.
Following this incident, the Northern Elders in a statement released by its National Coordinator, Engr. Zana Goni, called for the immediate sack of Monguno, blaming the attack on the lack of intelligence gathering.
According to the Elders: “We find it once more expedient to comment on the worsening security situation in the country, especially the latest attack on a military formation, the Nigerian Defence Academy, which is the institution where future military leaders are trained.
“We woke up to the sad news of the attack on the NDA, leaving two officers killed and another abducted by bandits with heavy hearts. If it was not the confirmation of this unbelievable action by the Academy’s spokesperson, Bashir Jajira, we would have still been in doubt.
“The fact that a fortified military institution could be so easily invaded by armed militias without resistance has left us with the conclusion that no part of this country and no citizen, no matter his or status is safe again.
“Without mincing words, we wish to attribute this ugly development to intelligence failure and gaps in the capacity of our armed forces. We wish to strongly say here that the attack is a slap on the Nigeria intelligence community and the armed forces.
“The retention of the National Security Adviser, General Babagana Monguno at the time the president listened to the voice of reason and replaced service chiefs, may be contributing to the continuous deteriorating security situation in the country.
“Given the situation, we wish to humbly and respectively appeal to our dear President, Muhammadu Buhari, to as a matter of urgent national importance, replace the NSA, whose tenure since his assumption of office, has been characterised by heightened Boko Haram activities, banditry, kidnap for ransom and other heinous crimes without end in sight.”
