Reacting to the last Friday’s multiple suicide bombings in Nyanya and Kuje
areas of Abuja which killed at least 15 people, the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) on Monday blamed the leadership of the Department for State
Security (DSS), saying the agency is not in full grip of Nigeria’s
security intelligence.
In a statement signed by the party’s acting national chairman, Uche
Secondus, the party condemned the resurgence of terrorism and renewed
attacks at the FCT.
Read the statement :
“That the Abuja coordinated attacks came just as the nation was already
celebrating the success of our security forces in their efforts to rout
terrorists, indicates either a fact of dereliction of duty or sabotage
against the anti-terrorism fight.
“Whereas we have remained steadfast in our commitment to support each and
every policy adopted by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari aimed
at ending terrorism, especially knowing the importance of secured
environment in achieving peaceful co-existence, an imperative for
development.
“And whereas we are aware that a bomb is an ill-wind that blows no good to
anybody in the community, scaring away potential investors, we are
therefore duty bound to draw attention to certain grave factors, possibly
leading to the unfortunate resurgence, which, if unchecked could worsen
the ugly situation.
“Our checks reveal that poor intelligence gathering by the Department of
State Services (DSS) and other relevant intelligence group is largely, if
not directly responsible for the resurgence of terrorists, who have
earlier been pushed to the precipices in the Sambisa forest in Borno
state, to the extent that they have slipped back into other cities,
including the nation’s capital.
“From all indications, the DSS under the watch of the current Director-
General, Alhaji Lawal Daura does not seem to be in full grip of the
intelligence situation.
“This is apparently traceable to the avoidable distractions occasioned by
the flagrant use of the agency for political assignments since the
emergence of the new Director-General, in addition to the apparent
administrative disharmony within the service, all resulting in the erosion
of professionalism, harmony and loyalty among personnel.
“In the last few months, the DSS, instead of concentrating on its primary
statutory duties of providing domestic intelligence, security service and
criminal investigations for the state, has, under the new
Director-General, directed all its energies on political matters; chasing
after opposition elements, interfering in election tribunal activities,
intimidating and hounding tribunal witnesses, while terrorists resurge,
and combatant security forces left with scanty intelligence.
“The situation with the DSS has become so pathetic that it could not even
effectively analyze reported suspicious tweets “predicting the attacks” as
a cue to forestall last Friday’s attack in Abuja and other parts of the
country.
“Indeed, our nation cannot afford a retrogression from the gains already
made in the fight against terrorism due to the failure of a disorganized,
improperly coordinated and distracted intelligence agency, that is not
able to live up to its billing.
“It is on this note therefore that we urge President Buhari, as a matter
of urgency, to take a critical look at the situation in the DSS, overhauls
its management, administration and operations to ensure that the required
leadership and spirit needed to operate optimally exist in the agency.
“We wish to note that our position is beyond politics. Security is a
matter that concerns all Nigerians irrespective of political, religious
and ethnic affiliation and must be taken seriously in the general interest
of our dear nation.
“This nation belongs to all of us and we, as citizens and critical
stakeholders must join hands, irrespective of our political differences,
to ensure that we give the Federal Government the required support in the
fight against terrorism in our country.
“A great nation is the dream and aspiration of every Nigerian and that was
demonstrated just on Thursday, when the populace renewed their faith in
the oneness and progress of the country during the 55th Independence
anniversary celebration.”