NEWS: SENATE, NSA, SERVICE CHIEFS IN CLOSED-DOOR MEETING OVER WORSENING SECURITY

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The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and the head of state’s service have met behind closed doors with the Senate to discuss the alarming situation of security in the nation.

Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa, Chief of Army Staff Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Air Staff Hassan Abubakar, and Chief of Naval Staff Emmanuel Ogalla are among those present.

The others are Yusuf Magaji Bichi, the Director General of the State Services; Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA); and Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.

Ministers in attendance include the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Geidam; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.

Before the closed-door session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio apologised for commencing behind schedule.

“I want to thank the service chiefs who were earlier here in the Senate before we adjourned. The only addition is that we now felt that the ministers should also come because they are supervising most of the finances of these security agencies,” Akpabio told them.

“We can talk security but we need money also procure equipment and to do a lot of things. Your presence here will give us insights into how funding is being handled to ensure the security of lives and properties.

“The Senate decided to take this option for us to have a session because of the various petitions that we have received from our constituents. As part of our major oversight function, we decided to do this through the Committee of a Whole.”

After addressing the top government officials, the Senate thereafter entered into a closed-door session with them.