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A CALL TO SALVAGE THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, NIA. OPEN LETTER TO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON SECURITY AND NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
29th January, 2018
ADVERTORIAL
PREAMBLE: This letter is in demonstration of our collective patriotism emanating from our undiluted loyalty to the Nigerian nation. It emanate from our love for fairness, justice, equity and fairness in the pursuit of national goals. Given our limitations, we are signing this letter under pseudo names.
1. It is therefore with a great sense of responsibility and respect that we write to thank and commend you for the timely intervention in the crisis of confidence rocking the National Intelligence, NIA following the recent unceremonious change of leadership.
2. We are constrained to write to you and make some vital imputes as you investigate the circumstances of the change in leadership and its possible consequences on the agency viz-a-viz the nation’s security apparatus.
3. Mr Chairman, honorable members, we wish to first alert you that there is an imminent threat to the cohesion for which the NIA has been known, as this is the first time a Director General was picked from the rank below that of a Director.
4. Since its inception 32 years ago , nobody below the rank of a Director has been appointed as its head. This explains why we regard the recent appointment of Ahmed Rufai ABUBAKAR, a man who is on record to have failed to merit elevation to the rank of Director and who has retired from service to come and preside over people who are not only his seniors in rank but who fit into the order of precedence.
5. Rufai ABUBAKAR’s appointment as DG NIA will certainly set a dangerous precedence, with equally dangerous implications. While we are aware that part of the new DG’s agenda is to retire those of us who are his seniors, as it is more likely that he may not want to work with us, it is evident that he will pursue a vendetta mission, which he has already indicated in his very first address to us.
6. While we wish to state that, he is at liberty to go ahead with what we know he intends to do, we wish to point out the underlying dangers in a massive purge of senior officers of the agency, to the effect that, not only will the millions of dollars spent on training and retraining us be lost, we are also custodians of the country’s intelligence dossiers, and may decide to use same for mischief.
7. Already, the nation is in a precarious security condition, and further penetration by Hostile Intelligence Services could spell even greater danger. It is very unlikely that we will be insulated from penetration if we are treated as renegades after putting in our best for the country.
8. In the event that Ahmed Rufai ABUBAKAR finds it difficult to work with those of us who are still in service and who have better credentials, the choice left to the authorities is to revert to the status quo and allow a serving director who understands the dynamics to continue.
9. Having failed promotion examinations to the directorship rank, which we can attest to, we make bold to state that it amounts to administrative suicide to allow a practical misfit take over the agency and later mortgage same to his paymasters, who have ulterior motives.
10. Since the Government itself admitted that Rufai ABUBAKAR was born and bred in Chad, while on the other hand he claims to have been born in Nigeria; at least going by his the records and his CV, suffice it to point out that there is an obvious contradiction. We call upon this honorable body to thoroughly look into this seeming discrepancy.
11. As insiders, we are in a position to state that, the process of vetting in respect of the new NIA DG negates conventional practice, as nobody has visited Chad where he claims to have grown up and schooled to probe into his differential associates, or even his likely espionage roles.
12. The rule requires that, anybody being considered for such strategic position must be vetted from the cradle. It is an incontrovertible fact Rufai ABUBAKAR’s links with Chad, a country with likely rival interest with Nigeria, makes Rufai suspect as espionage and not fit to head the country’s elite intelligence agency.
13. It is necessary for us to alert that, the issue of likely doubtful loyalty, is a serious issue in intelligence corridors. Where a person’s nationality or that of his spouse becomes unclear, a thorough vetting from the cradle becomes even more demanding. In this case, it is very dangerous that the vetting process has been compromised, which is an ominous danger to the nation’s security.
14. While it is increasingly becoming necessary to investigate the activities of the Presidential panel under the leadership of Ambassador Babagana KINGIBE and the current DG, we hasten to state that, the panel was in the first place a contemptuous affront on the office of the Vice President. It is unheard of for an officer with a lower rank being appointed to review the work of a higher officer; more so the Vice President of the country.
15. It is very curious that, paragraph 4(1) of the recommendations of the Kingibe panel prescribes that a serving Director should be picked as the Director General, only for the same characters that sat in judgement over the need to reorganize the NIA, turning around to violate its own recommendations, by picking one of them to contemptuously assume duty as head of the NIA.
16. It is very clear from the onset that the Presidential Review panel (PRP) led by Ambassador Babagana KINGIBE, was inaugurated purposely to defend Ambassador Ayo Oke, who had often threatened to spill the beans when the chips are down, as he will not sink alone. Oke had severally threatened to expose the beneficiaries of his largesse if they allowed him to be disgraced. The other obvious motive was to ensure that the remaining $44 million, of the NIA intervention fund is kept within the reach of the cabal. The failure of the immediate past Acting DG, Muhammed Dauda to allow them access to the money may be the under pinning reason for his removal
17. Be that as it may, we implore this honorable committee to demand from the Kingibe led panel a copy of their own report and that of the Vice President and probe if there is any substantial divergence.
18. As the conscience of our democratic quest, we request you to look passionately into the issues raised and those observations from other quarters where you can see that, merit, fairness, justice, equity and competence have been sacrificed on a [platter of selfish personal quest by Ambassador Babagana Kingibe and his associates.
19. Before we round up, permit us to disclose to you that, the Clandestine Operations Unit of the NIA, has been ordered to manufacture and clone documents that could be used to defend Abubakar Rufai Ahmed, who from all indication is facing legitimacy crisis.
20. As we draw to a close, we wish to urge this honorable committee to in the interest of national unity, federal character as enshrined in the constitution, fairness, justice or even common sense to Prevail on the President to drop Ahmed Rufai ABUBAKAR as the Director General of the NIA in the face of the obvious odds against his appointment. Coupled with the fact that it is an aberration to thrust the headship of Nigeria’s most sensitive security and intelligence organizations in the hands of people from the same ethnic stock, state and even town. In a country of over 200 million people, we feel it was not only highly contemptuous but dangerous. As Professor Itsey Sagay said, we are indeed uncomfortable with this appoint.
21. While thanking you for the attention, please accept the assurances of our highest esteem.
E O OLAREWAJU NELSON OBIAKOR AHMED SARKI
For and on behalf of Concerned Directors of the National Intelligence Agency, NIA
News
“Nigeria’s Biggest Ever Coalition, Civil Groups, Professionals, Labour, Artisans, Declare for Bola Tinubu”
In what is being described as an unprecedented political development ahead of the 2027 general elections, a broad-based national coalition cutting across civil society organisations, professional bodies, labour groups, artisan associations, and other grassroots networks has announced plans to formally endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.
The coalition, spearheaded by the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, COCSON, now extends far beyond the traditional civic space, bringing together over 1,500 groups from diverse sectors of the Nigerian society. Participants include human rights organisations, medical and legal professionals, trade and artisan unions, community-based organisations, and influential labour leaders, reflecting a wide national spread and multi-sectoral backing.
The historic convention is scheduled to hold on May 17, 2026, where leaders and representatives of the various groups are expected to converge in what organisers say will be the largest endorsement gathering in Nigeria’s history. The event will serve as the official platform for the coalition to collectively declare support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
In a major demonstration of grassroots mobilisation, the coalition also revealed plans to submit a compiled total of 20 million signatures of Nigerians who have endorsed the President’s candidacy. The signatures, gathered through extensive nationwide engagement, are being positioned as a clear indication of public support cutting across regions, professions, and social strata.
Organisers of the event stated that the decision to back President Tinubu is driven by what they described as tangible strides in economic reforms, governance, and national stability. They emphasised that the inclusion of non-traditional actors such as artisans, market groups, and labour unions underscores a broader national consensus that transcends the usual civil society framework.
Political analysts say the scale and diversity of this coalition mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, where support structures are no longer confined to political parties and elite stakeholders but are increasingly driven by a fusion of grassroots and professional constituencies.
As momentum builds towards the May 17 convention, observers are keenly watching how this expansive alliance will shape political narratives and influence voter sentiment in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.
Further details on the convention and breakdown of participating groups are expected to be unveiled in the coming days.
In what is being described as an unprecedented political development ahead of the 2027 general elections, a broad-based national coalition cutting across civil society organisations, professional bodies, labour groups, artisan associations, and other grassroots networks has announced plans to formally endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.
The coalition, spearheaded by the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, COCSON, now extends far beyond the traditional civic space, bringing together over 1,500 groups from diverse sectors of the Nigerian society. Participants include human rights organisations, medical and legal professionals, trade and artisan unions, community-based organisations, and influential labour leaders, reflecting a wide national spread and multi-sectoral backing.
The historic convention is scheduled to hold on May 17, 2026, where leaders and representatives of the various groups are expected to converge in what organisers say will be the largest endorsement gathering in Nigeria’s history. The event will serve as the official platform for the coalition to collectively declare support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
In a major demonstration of grassroots mobilisation, the coalition also revealed plans to submit a compiled total of 20 million signatures of Nigerians who have endorsed the President’s candidacy. The signatures, gathered through extensive nationwide engagement, are being positioned as a clear indication of public support cutting across regions, professions, and social strata.
Organisers of the event stated that the decision to back President Tinubu is driven by what they described as tangible strides in economic reforms, governance, and national stability. They emphasised that the inclusion of non-traditional actors such as artisans, market groups, and labour unions underscores a broader national consensus that transcends the usual civil society framework.
Political analysts say the scale and diversity of this coalition mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, where support structures are no longer confined to political parties and elite stakeholders but are increasingly driven by a fusion of grassroots and professional constituencies.
As momentum builds towards the May 17 convention, observers are keenly watching how this expansive alliance will shape political narratives and influence voter sentiment in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.
Further details on the convention and breakdown of participating groups are expected to be unveiled in the coming days.
☆☆☆As Troops Foil Series of Ambushes.
Troops of the Nigerian Army under operation Hadin Kai have foiled a series of ambush by suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (I SWAP) terrorist along the Monguno in Borno state.
Islamic state of West Africa province (ISWAP) have attacked the Nigerian army from Monguno 242 Battion Barrack in Borno State on their way to reinforce the camp.
A serving Nigerian Army Colonel was reportedly killed in an ambush by insurgents in Monguno, Borno State, during a reinforcement mission
Source added said that colonel I.A. Muhammad was ambushed by ISWAP and killed along with four other soldiers.
Community confirmed that the troops who were on a fighting patrol as part of operation,came under fire from suspected terrorists
As of the time of felling this report, there has been no official statements from the Nigerian Army regarding the accident.
Hon. Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Credit Guarantee Company Limited (NCGC), has joined Nigerians and the global business community in celebrating Alhaji Aliko Dangote on his 69th birthday. In a detailed tribute, Dogara described Dangote as “a visionary whose life’s work has become a cornerstone of Africa’s economic transformation.”
Dogara emphasized that Dangote’s entrepreneurial journey is one of resilience and foresight. From humble beginnings, he built the Dangote Group into Africa’s largest conglomerate, with investments spanning cement, sugar, salt, fertilizers, and the landmark Dangote Refinery. These ventures, Dogara noted, have not only revolutionized industries but also created millions of jobs, strengthened Nigeria’s economy, and reduced dependence on imports. “Alhaji Dangote is not just an entrepreneur; he is a nation-builder whose vision has redefined what is possible for Nigeria and Africa,” Dogara said.
He pointed out that the Dangote Refinery, in particular, represents a turning point in Nigeria’s energy sector, offering the promise of self-sufficiency in petroleum products and positioning the country as a major player in global energy markets. “This singular achievement underscores his commitment to solving Africa’s most pressing challenges through bold and innovative solutions,” Dogara remarked.
Beyond his industrial empire, Dogara praised Dangote’s philanthropy through the Dangote Foundation, which has invested heavily in healthcare, education, and humanitarian relief. From building hospitals and funding scholarships to providing aid during crises, Dangote’s generosity has touched countless lives across the continent. “His philanthropy reflects a deep commitment to humanity. He has shown that true greatness lies not only in building industries but also in uplifting lives,” Dogara added.
Dogara also reflected on the inspirational power of Dangote’s story, stressing that his rise from modest beginnings to global prominence serves as a beacon of hope for young Africans. “His journey proves that with hard work, faith, and determination, Africans can build enterprises that rival the best in the world. He remains a shining example of African excellence,” he concluded.
As Dangote celebrates his 69th birthday, his legacy continues to resonate far beyond Nigeria’s borders. His life stands as a testament to the transformative power of vision, enterprise, and compassion—an enduring reminder that Africa’s future can be defined by innovation, resilience, and generosity
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