By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
The National Security Council which met in Abuja on Friday among other things ordered the immediate reopening of the disputed Dangote Cement Company in Obajana, Kogi state just as the Council said normalcy is returning to every part of Nigeria.
Interior Minister Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola while addressing State House Correspondents after the meeting said that Council deliberated on the wide range of national security which he said is getting better by the day.
According to the Minister: “We have just concluded the National Security Council meeting for today and the issues discussed are, one, appreciation of the fact that we are making good progress in countering insecurities and gradually restoring life in virtually every part of Nigeria to normalcy. We are happy to note that increasingly, law and order is being restored and the threat of insecurity is declining”.
Speaking on the Obajana crisis, Aregbesola said: “the Council noted the development in Kogi and has ordered the reopening of the cement factory that is closed down, adding that all issues relating to that industry or factory should be resolved legally, nobody must take law into their hands, either as a government or an individual”.
“We are committed to guaranteeing and providing employment for Nigerians, so whatever will, in any way, hinder that must be discouraged. So in that regard, the cement industry in Obajana must be reopened and all issues that are in dispute should be resolved legally”.
Speaking on the 2023 election, the Minister said: “We equally want to, again, emphasize the fact that, and that is the decision of the Council, that we are committed to ensuring a transparent, free and fair electoral process in the coming elections and all the processes is leading to it. So, we enjoin all political parties, individuals and Nigerians to pursue their democratic rights and interests with decorum, as all security forces and agencies are advised to maintain the law”.
On the massive oil theft going on in the Niger Delta, Aregbesola said:
“Now, on the issue of crude oil theft, the Council has decided that the National Security Adviser should put in place a strong team to investigate all issues relating to the discoveries of either abandoned oil pipelines, or illegal crude oil pipelines, so as to determine, one, the extent of such illegalities and perpetrators of such, and put a report for the Council and the President”.
Aregbesola also disclosed that: “security agencies have been ordered to check illegal mining all over the country. Illegal mining operations or activities in the country, are ordered to be stopped and all security and intelligence agencies are to enforce this”.
Also, commenting on the Council meeting, Minister of Police Affairs Mohammed Dingyadi said: “What we have discussed at the just concluded Security Council meeting. In addition to that, we’re also agreed on the need to fast-track the process of judicial process for the persecution of terrorists so that it will be an example to other terrorists because you have to try to ensure justice is being done and to discourage others from becoming terrorists”.
“In addition to that, like he said, a committee will be set up by the NSA, in conjunction with the SGF, to investigate this issue of oil bunker because of the serious economic importance and to ensure that all those involved are brought to book”.
