Seized N13b: NIA Director’s Ordeal Exposes Intelligence, Security Chiefs Rift Under Buhari Administration.

Per Second News---The changing political landscape in Abuja and friction between heads of security agencies and Nigeria’s intelligence community could have major implications not only for the spy agencies but for the country in general.

Administration officials last year July dismissed a report by Per Second News, suggesting that heads of security agencies in president Buhari's administration are sharply divided.

But the N13 billion and other monies recovered from an Ikoyi, Lagos apartment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has further confirmed the rift, showing that security chiefs kept sensitive information away from themselves and Mr President over concerns about potential leaks.  

Fresh investigation suggests subtle power play and bureaucratic wrangling over counterintelligence, also contributed to the withholding of classified information, Per Second News learnt.

The suspended DG NIA, Ambassador Oke, according to multiple sources informed top security people in the government of the existence of the N13 billion cash.

A security chief who alleged the disregard of his office gave nod to the Magu led EFCC to comb the Ikoyi ‘Safe House’ despite last minute efforts by his colleague and a powerful presidency official to halt the raid.

“The distrust amongst these heads of security is the reason we are getting to know about the Ikoyi funds, said an official in the know.

“It’s obvious they don’t share information with each other. The money was meant to be shared by some people, thank God for Magu, he said.

Specifically, officials cited by this media outfit said the heads of security agencies were hesitant to reveal to each other, and Mr President the "sources and methods" that intelligence agencies use to collect sensitive information.

That is an unusual departure from protocol, according to security experts. But Per Second Newscited officials who revealed that hesitations were due in part to lingering charges of discord between the National Security Adviser, Rtd General Monguno and the DG DSS, Lawal Musa Daura.

The duo has had a tenuous relationship since their appointment with the Chief of Staff, Kyari also fingered as being part of the problem.

The apparent distrust amongst them has manifested in the discovery of the cash by the EFCC, after months of bitter private feuds and sharp counter intelligence clashes. 

 
Per Second News also gathered that the DSS DG, Lawal Daura, in the past refused to attend any security meeting chaired by the NSA, preferring to send representatives.

"It's probably unprecedented to have this difficult a relationship between heads of security apparatus and the intelligence agencies," said a security expert. "I can't recall ever seeing this level of friction. And it's just not good for the country."

Per Second News gathered that the cold war between the duo has been over how counterintelligence —including counter-espionage, counter sabotage, and counter subversion—should be handled on the home front.

Last modified on Monday, 24 April 2017 04:29