TheCable

Babagana Monguno, national security adviser (NSA), says intelligence operations of security agencies against bandits are not for public consumption.

Monguno spoke on Thursday while addressing journalists after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari and service chiefs at the presidential villa.

He was responding to questions on a recent comment made by Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna.

In March, while speaking about the train attack in the state, the Kaduna governor had asked the military to bomb bandits’ hideouts, instead of waiting for them to attack.

El-Rufai had said the camps and phone numbers of the bandits are known by the security agencies.

“We know where their camps are. We know where they are. The SSS have their phone numbers. They listen to them, and they give me the report. We know what they are planning. We shouldn’t be waiting for them to attack. Why can’t we go after them?” he had asked.

“We are in a state of war. This place should be declared a war zone. The army, air force, and the police should go in there and kill them. Will there be innocent casualties? Yes! In every war situation, there are casualties.”

Speaking on Thursday, Monguno said the governor’s disclosure on the activities of security operatives is also dangerous for kidnap victims.

“Governor Nasir el-Rufai spoke about the security agencies, saying we know who they are, where they are. Again, that is the danger. When you start talking too much, you give away a lot,” he said.

“Now, even if they say we know where they are, that in itself is already a problem. Because once you say it, whether it is true or false, the person who has your people in captivity will move to another location. It’s just as simple as that.

“So, sometimes, it is best to just keep silent; mum is the word.”