The much-anticipated interface of the Nigerian Senate with the service chiefs and heads of security agencies on Wednesday was stalled over the absence of two key actors, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.
President of the senate Godswill Akpabio during plenary announced that the planned session will now be held on the 13th of February 2024 to have a full house of Nigeria’s security architecture for a robust overview of the country’s security situation.
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Senate believes that Nigeria’s capital Abuja is under heavy security threat following the activities of kidnappers and bandits while also expressing similar concerns about other parts of the country.
Those who made it to the Senate briefing are the Chief of the Air Force, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, the Director General Department of State Security Services, Yusuf Bichi and Inspector General Of Police Kayode Egbetokun.
Akpabio says apology was however sent in from NSA Nuhu Ribadu on his absence who at the moment is in a crucial bilateral discussion with representatives of security chiefs from the United Kingdom.
He added , that the Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa who failed to show up , must be present at the important session with the Lawmakers next week Tuesday.
The Red Chamber also resolved to extend invitations to other security heads to the planned session.
Those expected in the next meeting include
The chief of defense staff , General Christopher Musa,
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu
The Minister of Defense Abubakar Badaru
Minister of State Defense, Bello Matawale
Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Geidam
Minister of State Police Affairs Imaan Ibrahim
DG NIA Ahmed Rufai Abubakar
Minister of Finance Olawale Edun
Minister of interior Olubunmi Tunji Ojo and all Service chiefs
President of the senate Godswill Akpabio lamented the deaths of security personnel involved in containing incidents of insecurity, adding that some parts of the country such as Benue, Oyo, Taraba, and Plateau States are the worst hit.
Akpabio further stated that the infiltration of bandits, terrorists Kidnappers in FCT and other parts of the country has led to loss of innocent lives as well as killings even after ransom payment.
Senate had received at least five motions from different senators on mindless killings in Agatu, Benue state, Plateau communities and rampaging kidnapping and banditry plaguing the country and the capital, Abuja which gave rise to the invitation of heads of security agencies.
Editor: Ena Agbanoma
