Soldiers killings: Buhari meets with service chiefs

FOLLOWING the killings of many soldiers by Boko Haram insurgents in Metele village of Borno State by Boko Haram terrorists over the last few days, President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday morning met with service chiefs to determine how to stem the tide.

Presidency sources confirmed that all the service chiefs and the Inspector General of Police were at the presidential villa, Abuja for the meeting.

A Presidency source which did not want to be named had on Saturday hinted the media that Buhari had summoned the service chiefs but did not indicate when the meeting was to take place.

The president had expressed deep shock over the killing of the military personnel.

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In a statement issued by Garba Shehu in Abuja on Saturday, after days of outrage by Nigerians following the presidency’s apparent silence over the last Sunday’s attack, the president assured that immediate measures are being taken to ensure that the loopholes which led to the fatalities are blocked once and for all.

The President said that his administration remains ever committed and focused on the security of military personnel and other citizens.

The statement quoted him as saying: “No responsible Commander-in-Chief would rest on his oars or fold his hands to allow terrorists to endanger the lives of its military personnel and other citizens. Our loyal forces have proved their strength over the terrorists and we are ready to give them all the needed support in terms of equipment and manpower to succeed in ending the renewed threat. In the coming days, I am engaging the Military and Intelligence Chiefs in extensive discussions on the next steps we shall be taking.”

The President noted that fighting terrorism has taken a global dimension, which necessitates international collaboration among states facing similar security challenges.

President Buhari reassured Nigerians of his continued commitment to their security and of his efforts to sustain the momentum in the previous significant successes recorded against the terrorists.

He, however, advised Nigerians against making a political capital out of national tragedy, stressing that members of the armed forces are one family who is commonly committed to the security and safety of all Nigerians.

About 100 soldiers were reported to have been killed in the latest attack by the insurgents on the military formation.

S-Davies Wande