ABUJA – The National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, on Monday warned religious and political leaders to desist from making provocative statements.
Dasuki, who was represented by retired Col. Sarki Bello, the Coordinator, Counter Terrorism, said: “unscrupulous Nigerians who were exploiting the situation for their selfish interest will not be spared and any incisive utterances by religious or political leaders will not be tolerated.
“I warn these elements to desist from their unholy acts against the corporate interest of Nigeria. We should always report suspicious activities to the security agencies and be more security conscious.
“It is also the duty of patriotic citizens to cooperate and collaborate with the security agencies in providing intelligence reports,’’ he said.
He said that the cooperation of all citizens at this period was crucial in forestalling the security challenges.
Dasuki said that the purpose of the workshop was to improve security awareness and to defeat terrorism in the country.
The NSA said that the government had put in place adequate measures to contain terrorism, religious intolerance, pastoralist’s farmers’ conflicts, corruption and other related vices endangering the wellbeing and corporate existence of Nigerians.
According to him, the government is currently alerting the general public on the use of female suicide bombers by Boko Haram.
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He said that the Boko Haram insurgents also had a new strategy of hitting high population centres to record high mortality to get publicity.
He said that the federal and state governments were working to generate more employment opportunities for the youths through SURE-P, agriculture, and other requisite skills methods.
The NSA advised members of the public to avoid high density gatherings, video and recreational centres, adding that the public were not left in the campaign against insecurity.
Alhaji Ibrahim Mahe, the Permenent Secretary, Special Service (SSO), the Presidency, said that the government had appointed a standing committee to continuously explore dialogue option with the sect.
Mahe said that the insurgents had started drafting women as suicide bombers, adding that the government had taken measures to deal with the situation.
He said that the workshop was conducted by selected facilitators drawn from the Department of State Service (DSS), Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
He said that the agencies would give necessary security tips to enhance capacity to respond to the present security challenges.
Mahe was represented by Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu, the Director, Special Duties Ministry. (NAN)
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