Security: North East situation worries FG

DESPITE successes achieved in the fight against insurgency in the North East in recent times, the federal government says the security situation in the region is still worrisome.

Minister of Defence, Mannir Dan-Ali who gave this position after a security meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja on Monday, said the meeting reviewed the situation and an “absolute decision” was taken on the matter.

He did not, however, disclose the nature of the decision.

The minister said the meeting noted the improvement in security around the country, especially in Zamfara, Benue and Niger Delta state, following the measures being implemented.

He said the purpose of Monday’s meeting was to brief the president who returned to the country on Saturday after a two-week holiday in the United Kingdom.

He said: “This is a normal routine security briefing with Mr President. He just came back. So, we briefed him on all the activities we had while he was away. It’s an update of the August 2nd Meeting.

“The decision that has been taken is that we have seen that there is a lot of improvement in the security situation in the country, more especially in Zamfara and Benue state and in the Niger Delta.

“In the North East, we are having worrisome report, we have looked into it critically and we have taken absolute decision.”

Also speaking, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonishakin, affirmed that the meeting was called to brief the president on the current security situation in the country.

ALSO READ: Soldiers, herdsmen in gun duel in Benue

He added: “We just had two and a half hours meeting with the president and commander in Chief.

“We reviewed the security situation across the country in all the geopolitical zones and of course, we made all our comments, especially the new operations in Benue, Zamfara, Taraba operation Whirl Stroke, and operation (Shara Daji).

“We gave the extent of successes in these operations and we are to continue in this line of action in these operations.

“All the operations were reviewed and all the issues concerning the operations were dealt with. And he directed that we should continue to step up our game to ensure that the nation is safe and people go about their daily activities in a very safe manner.”

Present at the meeting were the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Abubakar Sadique; Ahmed Abubakar; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ibrahim Idris; Inspector General of Police and the Acting Director-General of Department for State Services, Matthew Seiyefa.