After over ten hours of closed door session with certain Ministers and Service Chiefs to discuss the scary security challenge in the country, the Senate on Tuesday commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration over its efforts and determination to protect security of lives and property.
In attendance were Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; his counterpart in Interior, Olubunmi Tunji- Ojo and Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister, Wale Edun.
Others were Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Geidam; and Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim.
Security Chiefs at the meeting were the Chief of Defense Staff, Christopher Musa; National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; the Chief of the Air Staff,Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar,the Inspector General of Police,Kayode Egbetokun; the Director General of DSS and the NIA DG.
President of the Senate,
Godswill Akpabio read the resolutions taken at the Executive Session.
Senator Akpabio disclosed that “the security chiefs and National Security Adviser answered questions bordering on security matters.”
“The Senate commended Mr. President on his efforts to protect security of lives and property.
“Senate also commended
Service Chiefs and urged them to follow all the suggestions and revelations and use them for future actions.
“We commended the Security Chiefs and particularly point out that the Interior Minister should use a unified system of identification, that will be a better thing for Nigerians. “
The Senate equally passed vote of confidence in the Service Chiefs.
He said:”For the security chiefs we assure you of not just the support of Senate but the National Assembly. We passed vote of confidence in the Service Chiefs.”
Also speaking with journalists, Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, offered further insight into the discussions at the Executive session.
” Today, we listened to them, we related with them, they allayed our fears and answer our questions satisfactorily.
We asked questions from Interior Minister on how to apprehend criminals through standardization of identities of Nigerians
“We got assurances of border patrols that they must be manned seriously.
The Finance Minister assured that funds will be released expeditiously to Service Chiefs. We got that pledge.
“We even suggested inviting the Minister of Justice so that we can get speedy trials of criminals. With what we heard today,we got assurances that Nigerians will heave a sigh of relief.”
Senator Adaramodu justified the vote of confidence passed in Service Chiefs as he maintained that the Red Chamber is impressed with their determination and proactive measures in recent times.
He said:” Yes, we passed vote of confidence, we are impressed with what they have been doing so far. Look at that of Bwari, suspects have been apprehended , look at what they are doing in Ekiti and Plateau states.
The problem is that the attacks happened sporadically. “