The minister said this on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television.

Magu was the acting chairman of the EFCC between 2015 and 2020, but was arrested on July 7, 2020, detained and suspended as the head of the anti-graft agency.

Magu’s ordeal started when Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, petitioned the president, levelling allegations of corruption and insubordination against him.

A panel led by Ayo Salami was subsequently instituted to probe the allegations levelled against Magu. A report on the investigation was submitted in November 2020.

Magu was earlier being considered for promotion to the position of assistant inspector-general of police (AIG) despite the recommendation of the Salami-led panel which asked that he should be prosecuted.

On July 8, the Police Service Commission (PSC) removed Magu from the list of those to be promoted to the position of AIG.

Speaking on the development, Dingyadi said since the report was submitted to the president, no further communication has been sent to the ministry and the police force.

The minister said despite the suspension of Magu as acting EFCC chairman, he is still a police officer under the payroll of the federal government.

“The matter, like you said, is investigated. The man is still in the service; he is still in the force headquarters, and I don’t want to expatiate at this material time as to what is happening to the report of the committee,” he said.

“What I know is that the matter has been submitted to Mr President and as far as I know, no communication has yet been submitted to the ministry or police force on this matter. So we are waiting for the final outcome to be made public.

“Of course, he is still a police officer even though he is under suspension. So what you know is that he used to be the chairman of the EFCC, but he is no longer one.

“But that does not mean he is not within the payroll of the FG. He is still a civil servant, he is still a police officer so until the final decision is taken on the matter. I don’t think I should say more than what I have said on this matter.”

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He spoke during the National Security Council (NSC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and the Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi, briefed correspondents on the deliberations.

According to him, the Council is concerned about the worsening security situation in the North and emphasised the need to better equip the police.

“The meeting note with concern the increasing cases of armed banditry, particularly in the Northwest and Northeast. The meeting agreed to be more proactive in dealing with the situation in a more decisive manner.

“The meeting noted the need to pay greater attention to the police in the discharge of its functions to maintain peace in the country, in the areas of equipment and modern technology.

“Mr. President assured Nigerians that he will do whatever it takes to ensure the repeat of ENDSARS protests does not occur in Nigeria again.

“He reassured them that all stakeholders will be involved in the process of maintaining peace in the country, particularly the youth, community leaders, traditional rulers, politicians, public servants, religious leaders and others.

“The Federal Government will continue to maintain its bureaucratic, humane and just postures in handling security matters in the country,” Dingyadi said.

Asked whether the Federal Government plans a crackdown on protests, the minister said: “On the issue of #EndSARS that you have raised, what we are saying is that government will continue to dialogue.

“It will continue to listen and will continue to carry all stakeholders along in ensuring that there is no repeat of what happened that destroyed a lot of properties, public and private, individuals in this country.”

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff to the President Ibrahim Gambari and Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN) were at the meeting.

Ministers of Defense Maj. Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd.); Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; Foreign Affairs Geoffery Onyeama and the Police Affairs Muhammad Dingyadi were also present.

Service chiefs in attendance included the Chief of Defense Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; Chief of Air Staff Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar; Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Ahmed Rafa’i Abubakar and the Director-General of the Directorate of State Services (DSS) Yusuf Magaji Bichi.

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Speaking with state house correspondents hours after a traditional ruler was shot dead in Kaduna, Dingyadi said what bandits are relying on is hit-and-run tactics.

The minister spoke after a national security council meeting at Aso Rock on Tuesday. “These bandits have already been degraded, so there is no way they resuscitate themselves and take over,” he said.

“I think they have already been degraded, what they are doing is just hit-and-run kind of tactics. So, we don’t see any sign of them coming to take over or overpower, I think they have been well degraded and they are just trying to show their presence in a very cowardice manner.”

Asked when to expect improved security in the country, Dingyadi said: “Let me say that in whatever one does, you must have a timeline, you must have your targets and you must work towards achieving those targets. We have our timelines, we have our targets and we are working towards achieving those targets.”

The minister spoke on a day when news broke that 12 policemen were abducted in Zamfara.

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