Buhari, security chiefs meet for second time in four days

President Muhammadu Buhari has held another security council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday.

This is the second time he would hold such a meeting with the security chiefs in less than four days.

The first meeting was convened last Friday.

The Tuesday’s meeting, held in the First Lady’s Conference room at the State House, was attended by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; and Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari.

Also in attendance were the Minister of Defence, retired Major-General Bashir Magashi; the National Security Adviser, retired Major General Babagana Monguno; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor; Chief of Army Staff; Lieutenant-General Ibrahim Attahiru; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amoo; and the acting Inspector General of Police, IGP, Usman Baba.

No briefing was held after the meeting and no statement has been issued so far on its outcome.

However, after last Friday’s meeting, the National Security Adviser said President Buhari, who was concerned about the persisting security challenges in parts of the country, summoned a crucial meeting of the National Security Council as he continued to confront the situation.

Monguno said the President made it clear at the meeting that while the insurgents, bandits and criminals are still at it, he had no doubt that the Nigerian security agencies would overcome all the current security problems and defeat the forces of evil marauding about in different parts of the country.

“While the criminals continue to test the will of the Nigerian government, the President and the Council which adjourned today’s critical meeting until Tuesday morning to receive further briefings from the Security Chiefs, are set and determined to decisively end the assault on the nation and will do all that it takes.

“Mr President is very prepared to take profound measures in the wider interest of the people and the Nigerian nation.

“There shall be no relenting until peace and security is significantly restored in our communities,” the statement had read.