Insecurity: Senate Postpones Session With Service Chiefs

The Senate has postponed its planned meeting with the service chiefs on the lingering insecurity in Nigeria till February 13.

The meeting was postponed because some heads of intelligence agencies did not show up.

The decision was taken to accommodate everyone involved.

Recall that the Senate had, earlier on Wednesday, suspended its rules to admit the Service Chiefs and the National Security Adviser (NSA) to enter the chamber and brief lawmakers on the infiltration of bandits and kidnappers into some parts of the country, including the FCT.

The motion to adjourn the security briefing was moved by the Senate leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, and seconded by the Minority leader, Senator Abba Moro.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who approved the move for adjournment, said the Senate would like a holistic deliberation on insecurity.

Akpabio said the likes of Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence staff, needed to be present for the meeting to be held.

“We also heard about the infiltration of the federal capital territory (FCT) in places like Kubwa and Bwari. We have heard reports that they have cells where they are congregating. We have heard reports of your efforts and we resolved to invite you to brief us on this resurgence,” Akpabio said.

“While we welcome you, we are not passing the buck, we are not blaming you. But you are not complete.

“We also like to have the national security adviser (NSA), chief of defence staff, minister of state for defence, director-general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the Minister of Interior.

“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.”

Thereafter, Akpabio directed the clerk of the senate to inform other heads of security agencies to be present next week.