Posters Comment: From Colonialism to Independence to Civil War to Democracy to Corruption to Military Rule to Democracy plus corruption .To Terrorism ? Naija We hail Thee .Is this Goodluck ? Where are the Risen compatriots .
An emergency meeting of security chiefs was held yesterday behind closed doors in Abuja. The meeting, which was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, was summoned to deliberate over the spate of bombings and security breaches across the country.
A source said the president ordered the security chiefs to discuss and find how to bring the violence that has become common across the country under control.
It was gathered that the president expressed concern that security has become a challenge, thus leading to loss of lives and raising fears over the
elections coming up in April....
A radical Islamist sect said it was behind bombings in central Nigeria and attacks on churches in the northeast of the country that led to the deaths of at least 86 people. Photo: REUTERS
Photo Right: ALiyu Gusau Former Security Adviser turned Presidential Canditate .
On the eve of Christmas, series of bombs exploded in different areas of Jos leading to the death of over 80 people, while another exploded at a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) rally in Yenogoa, Bayelsa State. On December 31, there was a bomb explosion at the Mogadishu Barracks in Abuja, killing four persons while several others were injured.
Terrorism adviser to be named
At the end of the emergency security meeting yesterday, it was announced that an adviser to the president is to be named in the next one week. Although the name of the adviser was not revealed, it was gathered that the announcement was delayed because of the need to make some consultations and carry out some security checks on the appointee.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had in 2008 installed CCTV in some strategic areas in Abuja and its environs. However, the functionality of these gadgets has come under question in view of recent events.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Ima Niboro, said, “The president convened an emergency meeting of the National Security Council to address the state of security in the country. The meeting also reviewed the bomb incident of New Year’s eve and condemned them as an act of terror. Mr. President in the next one week is to appoint a special adviser on terrorism.
“Mr. President will work with the National Assembly to ensure the speedy passage of the anti-terrorism bill. Government will also introduce CCTVs in public places for access control. Regulations are also underway for the access control for both public and private establishments.”
He disclosed that a presidential committee on the control of explosive and other incendiary materials will also be set up as well as a committee on public enlightenment on general security awareness amongst citizens.
In the build up to the elections, Mr. Niboro said “the police have been directed to ensure the prompt arrest and prosecution or political thugs,” adding that “all armouries licenced by the police are to be further inspected to regulate how the materials are imported and used in Nigeria.”
Those present at the emergency security meeting, which was chaired by the president include: the minister of defence, Adetokunbo Kayode; the minister of interior, Emmanuel Iheanacho; the minister of police affairs, Humphrey Abba; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed; Chief of Staff, Mike Oghiadomhe; director general of State Security Service, Ekpenyong Ita; National Security Adviser, Andrew Azazi; Chief of Defence Staff, Oluseye Petirin; the Chief of Air Staff, Dikko Umar; Chief of Naval Staff, Ola Ibrahim; Chief of Army Staff, Azubike Ihejirika; and Hafiz Ringim, the Inspector General of Police.
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