Minister Tasks DIA On Innovative Solutions To Insecurity

The Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi has urged the Defence Intelligence, Advisers and Attachés to develop innovative solutions to tackle security challenges facing the nation.

Magashi gave the advice during the opening of the Defence Advisers and Attachés Annual Conference organised by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) on Monday in Abuja.

He said the Defence Attachés System has crucial roles to play in forging understanding and cooperation with the security and defence architectures in their respective countries of accreditation.

The minister said that security threats across the country had continued to endanger economic growth and food security.

“A cursory look at the security challenges in Nigeria today reveals that the new dimensions in combating insecurity through the kinetic and non-kinetic approach is yielding positive results in the fight against terrorism and banditry.

“Particularly, in the North-West and North-Central Zones.

“However, the coastal states in the South-South region are still plagued with illegal oil bunkering, piracy and militancy.

“While the South-East is challenged with secessionist activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra and the Eastern Security Network.

“The South-West region is equally faced with secessionist inclination driven by ethnic agitators as well as occasional tension between herders and farmers.

“Distinguishing the threats Nigeria is currently facing and understanding their socio-geographic context is pivotal for adapting appropriate and lasting counter-measures.

“Regrettably, the prevalence of these threats has continued to endanger our economic growth and food security.

“This has been exacerbated by the recent flooding across the country,” he said.

Magashi, therefore, said the participants should appraise the shared vision of stemming the tide of insecurity through the integrated efforts of all government entities.