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Lack of intelligence coordination hindering North-East security efforts – Ex-DSS Director
A former Assistant Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Dennis Amachree, has raised concerns over the lack of coordinated intelligence among Nigeria’s security agencies, which he said was hindering the fight against insurgency in the North-East geopolitical zone.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Lunchtime Politics programme on Thursday, Amachree emphasized the importance of intelligence sharing and operational synergy in addressing the persistent threat posed by terrorists in the region.
“There is a loophole in intelligence gathering, and this is affecting the fight against insurgents,” he said.
“While we are making gains, especially in Borno State, the concentration of military and intelligence power in Maiduguri leaves far-flung areas like Damboa, Chibok, and Gwoza vulnerable to attacks.”
Amachree highlighted recent incidents, including an ambush by Boko Haram terrorists in Baga, where soldiers attempting to recover the bodies of slain civilians were attacked. Several soldiers were reportedly killed, while others went missing.
“The ambush in Baga underscores the need for better intelligence. Going there to pick up dead bodies without proper reconnaissance or understanding of the area’s security situation was not a good idea,” he said.
He also criticized the lack of follow-up after military operations, where territories cleared of insurgents are often left without adequate security, leaving residents exposed to renewed attacks.
“After the fight, insurgents are supposed to be driven away, and the police are supposed to take over. But what we see is that after the fight, the natives are left alone. When the insurgents return and don’t see any security agents, they strike again,” Amachree explained.
The former DSS official also welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to restructure Nigeria’s security architecture, noting that the appointment of new heads for security agencies was a step in the right direction.
“He [Tinubu] said in his first speech that he would restructure the security architecture. Changing the heads of the agencies is a very good move, but it’s important to improve the reporting lines and coordination among all security agencies to ensure seamless intelligence sharing,” Amachree said.
By Emmanuel Iheaka, OWERRI
The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has assured Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State that his group will be one of the biggest investors in the state.
Dangote gave the assurance at the opening session of the Imo Economic Summit 2025 in Owerri on Thursday.
The renowned Africa’s industrialist urged Uzodimma to indicate his preferred area of investment and forget the rest.
Dangote described the Imo governor as a personal friend of decades and commended him for providing enabling environment for investment.
“We will be one of your biggest investors in Imo. So, please tell me the area to invest and we will invest”, Dangote declared.
He called on entrepreneurs to always invest at home, adding that foreigners cannot drive the economy of any nation more than the nationals.
“What attracts foreign investors is a domestic investor. Africa has about 30 percent of the world’s minerals. We are blessed,” he submitted.
Dangote reiterated that his refinery was set to launch 1.4 million barrels per day capacity, the highest for any single refinery in the world.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday declined to accept Prince Emmanuel Kanu’s appearance on behalf of his brother, Nnamdi Kanu, ruling that he is not a legal practitioner.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday, swore in General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd) as Minister of Defence at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
General Musa’s appointment follows the resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on Monday, December 1, 2025. His nomination was announced the following day and transmitted to the Senate, where it received expedited screening and confirmation.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, General Musa was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Nigerian Army in 1991 and had a distinguished military career. He was appointed Chief of Defence Staff by President Tinubu in 2023 and retired in October 2025.
As Chief of Defence Staff, he championed inter-service security collaboration.
With his swearing-in, the new Defence Minister is expected to immediately assume duties as the Tinubu administration seeks to consolidate recent security gains and fast-track reforms aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability nationwide.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Sen. Adeniyi Adegbonmire, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, attended the swearing-in ceremony.
Also in attendance were the spouse of the new Minister, Mrs Lilian Oghogho Musa; Chief of Defense Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah; and Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs (rtd).
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IMO ON GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT AS GOVERNOR UZODIMMA KICKS OFF 2025 IMO ECONOMIC SUMMIT.
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