Buhari Urges Govs. To Work With Monarchs For Local Intel

President Muhammadu Buhari has tasked all the 36 state governors to work more with traditional rulers and community members to improve local intelligence gathering that will complement the work of security agencies.

The President, who listened to presentations by a governor from each of the six geo-political zones on their specific security challenges, recalled that in the old order communities identified newcomers and passed information to constituted authority.

“The sub-region is no longer safe, more so with the collapse of the former Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi’s regime and the cross border movement of weapons and criminals.

“Governors must work with traditional rulers. Try and work with traditional rulers to boost intelligence gathering.’’

Giving an overview of the security situation in each of the zones, President Buhari said his administration had done well in the North East and South-South, adding that the South-South situation was still worrisome.

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“Every day I get situation reports about illegal refineries and the blowing up of pipelines. You must stop local rogues from sabotaging oil installations.’’

President Buhari also explained that the closure of the nation’s land borders was partly an attempt to control the smuggling of weapons and drugs.

“Now that the message has sunk in with our neighbours, we are looking into reopening the borders as soon as possible.’’

President Buhari gave assurances that the country’s military will continue to get the support they needed to fight criminals.

“I am not going to the public to speak about the vehicles and equipment we have ordered. What I can say is that the military received armoured cars and other equipment and they are training the trainers. More of such equipment, including military aircraft, will come in.’’