NIA DG never failed promotion examination – ONSA

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has dismissed reports that the Director General (DG), National Intelligence Agency, (NIA), Ambassador Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar failed promotion examination.

The ONSA was reacting to a recent report on social media credited to some unnamed former directors of the NIA over the appointment of the Agency’s DG.

ONSA noted that contrary to the false claims, Ambassador Abubakar has “consistently been an outstanding officer.”

It also disclosed that the appointment and tenure of NIA DG is an “exclusive prerogative” of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

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ONSA in a statement issued on Friday by its Head, Strategic Communication, Zakari Usman, explained that: “By the provisions of the instrument establishing the Agency under the National Security Agencies Act 1986 ( Cap 278 LFN), the appointment and tenure of the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency is the exclusive prerogative of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

“The appointment of the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency was made in full compliance with the relevant law.”

It said: “Reported speculation by the unnamed former directors that the National Security Adviser had told the National Assembly that he was unaware of the Director General’s appointment in 2018 is false.

“This office wishes to note that a Federal High Court presided over by Justice Okon Abang has already dismissed a suit challenging the appointment of the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency.

“The general public (sic) and indeed all stakeholders in the Security and Intelligence sector are advised to disregard the unfortunate falsehood being peddled by these shadowy groups.”

However, ONSA warned groups and individuals who use pseudonyms to issue false claims against violating the secrecy upon which the Intelligence Community functions.

The ONSA further noted that appropriate action was being taken to unmask the unnamed former directors of the NIA who issued the false claims and bring them to justice.

It added that: “The intelligence community is pleased with the work of the Director-General, Ambassador Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar since his appointment.

“The National Security Adviser is equally satisfied with the level of consultations between his office and the Director General in achieving the functions of the National Intelligence Agency.

“Contrary to these false claims Ambassador Abubakar never failed a promotion exam and has consistently been an outstanding officer.”