‘Abuja is Under Threat!’ – Nigeria Senate

The Senate declared that the country’s center of authority was in danger on Wednesday, expressing concern at the state of unrest.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been invaded, according to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who backed up his claim with mentions of attacks in Kubwa and Bwari, among other locations.

Before the Senate deferred its meeting with the chiefs of security services till next week due to the absence of Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defense Staff, and Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Akpabio remarked.

The security chiefs were called before the Red Chamber last week to brief them on the current state of insecurity in Nigeria and the measures being taken to combat it. The invitation was sent out during a period of increased murders and kidnappings in the FCT and other parts of the nation.

However, after the Senate allowed those in attendance to enter the chamber, the security meeting that was originally set on Wednesday was rescheduled for February 13.

Chief of Staff Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Naval Staff Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of Air Staff Hassan Abubakar, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, and Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) Yusuf Bichi were present.

According to Akpabio, some of the invited individuals did not show up, thus the interactive session with the chiefs of security agencies was rescheduled. He said that in order to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the situation, the ministers of defense and police affairs, Ahmed Rufai, the director general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the chief of defense staff required to be there.

Speaking before adjourning the security briefing, the Senate President said “The situation is worrisome in Agatu, in Taraba, Oyo, Plateau, Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi. We also heard about the infiltration (of bandits) into the federal capital territory (FCT) in places like Kubwa and Bwari.

“We have heard reports that they have cells where they are congregating. We’ve also heard the efforts of the security chiefs and the security agencies but reports are becoming worrisome and we decided to invite you to brief us on the efforts to tackle this menace.

“While we welcome you, we are not passing the buck, we are not blaming you. But you are not complete. We want you to know that we represent the Nigerian people and we will only do their will. The Senate is of the view that the FCT is under threat.

[b]“We received apologies from NSA that he is in a bilateral meeting with security chiefs from the UK. We believe that the team is still not complete.

“But my opinion is that we would like to have with you, the chief of Defence Staff, NSA, Minister of Defence, Minister of State for Defence, we will also want the minister of Police affairs, and the Minister of State for Police Affairs in addition.
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“We strongly believe that the Director General of NIA should be in attendance, and the Minister of Finance should also be in attendance,” Akpabio said.

Those expected at the Tuesday’s meeting are the Chief of Defense Staff; National Security Adviser; Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff; the Chief of the Air Staff, the Inspector General of Police; the Director General of DSS; NIA DG; Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Geidam; and Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim.

Also, the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo are expected to be in attendance. Akpabio, thereafter, directed the clerk of the senate to inform those invited to be present next week.

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