The President, Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, in Abuja, directed Service Chiefs and heads of security and intelligence agencies to “crush” perpetrators of oil theft, saying that his administration will not tolerate the menace.
Tinubu also said on his watch, insecurity would not bring Nigeria to her knees while other countries record achievements in key sectors of their economies.
The President gave the directive in his maiden official meeting with Service Chiefs and intelligence heads led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.
The National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd.), who addressed journalists after the meeting revealed that the President has directed heads of security agencies to provide a purpose-made blueprint to tackle insecurity and maintain sanity nationwide.
In the two-hour meeting, Monguno said the security helmsmen briefed Tinubu on the activities of their various security formations and for him to inform them about his expectations.
He said, “The President and Commander in Chief of the armed forces has just concluded a meeting of the general security appraisal committee consisting of the Chief of Staff service chiefs Inspector General of Police, and heads of the intelligence agencies.
“This is the very first meeting he’s had with the heads of the security agencies. The meeting lasted for two hours.
“Having been briefed by the participants of the meeting, Mr. President, addressed prevailing issues confronting the nation in terms of insecurity and also mentioned his own philosophy towards dealing with national security issues.”
He said the President appreciated the armed forces and intelligence agencies and the wider paramilitary agencies for the work they have been doing in the past couple of years.
“Their sacrifice, their loyalty, and he also paid tribute to those who died in defending this country, from the great big menace of terrorism, insurgency banditry, oil theft, sea robbery, piracy, etc.
