The President of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed new heads to lead the National Intelligence Service (NIA) and the Department of State Services (DSS).
A statement issued by Tinubu’s spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale on Monday said Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed is the new head of the NIA.
As well as appointed Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi as the new Director-General of DSS.
Mohammed will replace Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar who resigned last weekend.
Ajayi replaced Yusuf Magaji Bichi who was appointed by Buhari in 2018.
Who is Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed?
Ambassador Mohammed has been involved in foreign affairs since he started working at the NIA in 1995.
He held many positions where he reached the position of Director and became the head of the Nigerian Embassy in Libya.
He graduated from Bayero University in Kano in 1990 and worked in North Korea, Pakistan, Sudan and the presidential palace in Abuja.
Who is Mr. Adeola Ajayi
Mr. Adeola Ajayi held many positions in the DSS where he reached the position of Deputy Director-General in the agency.
He held the position of Director in Bauchi, Enugu, Bayelsa, Rivers and Kogi states
“President Tinubu hopes that the new heads of the agencies will work hard to bring about change in the two agencies so that the security problems that are plaguing the country can be overcome by cooperating with other security colleagues,” Ngelale said.
Nigerians hope for better security
Amid the recent development, the citizens have expressed optimism that there should be an improvement in security challenges in the country.
The ongoing security crisis in Nigeria, particularly in the northern region, where Boko Haram and other Islamist jihadist groups have established a stronghold, continues to severely impact economic activities.
The heightened insecurity has deterred potential investors, leading to the stagnation of commercial operations in the affected areas. Many businesses and companies in northern Nigeria have ceased operations due to the unrelenting insurgency.
The rise of banditry in the region has exacerbated economic instability. This threat has disrupted agricultural activities, the backbone of the local economy, as farmers fear for their safety and avoid cultivating their fields.
This decline in agricultural productivity has jeopardized food security for millions, especially with over 200,000 individuals displaced from their homes and farmlands. The economic displacement has also led to a ripple effect, negatively impacting local markets and small businesses.
While the north remains the epicenter of insecurity, there are growing concerns as security issues begin to spread to the southern regions, presenting new challenges. Kidnappings for ransom have surged, with an alarming number of cases recorded in recent years, further instilling fear and uncertainty among the population.
This trend has affected businesses, with many opting to relocate to other African countries, while those that remain operate under the constant threat of violence.
The government’s response to the banditry crisis has necessitated the allocation of substantial resources towards security operations. This has diverted funds from essential developmental projects, infrastructure improvements, and poverty alleviation efforts, further compounding the region’s economic challenges.
An X user Bakatsine tweeting @DanKatsina50 reacting to the appointments said; May his appointment bring in a positive impact on this insecurity bedeviling our region.”
He also said addressing the security situation is crucial for restoring peace, encouraging investment, and revitalizing economic activities.
Olorundajo Segun, a Facebook user said; “Nice for the proactive decision. We can’t afford not to fill these two sensitive vacuums immediately.” He urged the government to enhance intelligence gathering, improve interagency collaboration, and strengthen international partnerships to effectively combat insecurity, adding that establishing robust security measures, particularly in rural areas, and empowering community policing initiatives are essential steps to safeguarding communities.
Another user, Innocent Jumbo said; “Congratulations to the newly appointed officials, good enough the President didn’t sack the previous occupants but asked them to resign.”
A Twitter (X) user @sulayman_lawal said, ” Well done President Ahmed Bola Tinubu. Appointing people that come up the ranks, creates confidence in the organisation. It encourages others to work hard knowing that, there is growth opportunity in the institution.”
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