Date Published: 03/27/10

Letter to the Returnee National Security Adviser

This is to welcome you back to the seat of the National Security Adviser. You have remained an officer and a gentleman who knows his onions in the area of security. If you were still on seat the first Bauchi mayhem, the Borno Boko Haram, the Jos mayhem, the Niger Delta debacle; all would have not soared. President Yar’Adua as a brand would have remained respectable and not brought in like a contraband by persons that behaved like thieves at night.

There were other problems that continued to plague most parts of Nigeria – terrorism, political intimidations and kidnappings mostly in the south-south region.  It is not that you would have solved them all (fully) but you would have had forced security reports of curtailment or prevention. Even on your personal capacity, while not in office, you did privately advise the father of the (terrorist) Abdul Muttallab junior to report activities of his son to the USA and other authorities.

Generally, General Gusau, I am saying welcome back to what you know how to do best. There is this issue of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS); how could we have two NANS Presidents? We hear one of the sitting State Governors fanned the ember that resulted in this mess looking like cult issue. And cult issues are security issues. Please this matter should not be glossed over otherwise we have a big security issue lurking around the corner. We all know students’ problems; when they erupt Boko Haram and Jos mayhem could be a child’s play. 

Nigerians shall ever remain grateful to you as you try to achieve in areas of security, which we earnestly require. Every reported security issue, no matter how minute it might look, should be given proper and adequate attention.

Chief Pius Umukoro, Effurum Road, WARRI, Delta State