By Christiana Ekpa
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Chris Musa, on Tuesday led other Service Chiefs, and the Inspector General of Police to make appearance before the House of Representatives for briefing on the efforts being made towards addressing the security challenges in the country.
This was just as the Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Hassan Abububakar revealed that the security environment in the country has remained fluid and unpredictable due to the uptick in the activities of insurgents such as bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements in the country
The security chiefs, who were expected before the House last week had send representatives, who were turned back as the House insisted on personal appearances of the security chiefs.
Speaking at the commencement of the briefing yesterday, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Chris Musa however explained that they could not honour the initial invitation because they were all out of Abuja. “We were out of Abuja and felt that since an invitation has been extended, our Chief of Operations should attend. It was not deliberate and we apologize for that and thank you for the opportunity for us to interact with you”, he said.
The CDS equally disclosed that the activities of one of the leading figures of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Simon Ekpa, who is taking covet in Finland were doing a lot of damage to the southeast region of the country.
While noting that there were indications that Ekpa was enjoying the protection of Finland, the CDS said there was need for the Nigerian government to engage that of Finland, beginning with possibly inviting the country’s ambassador to Nigeria for discussion, adding that while the military and other security agencies in the country were doing their very best to ensure that there is peace in the southeast, the comments and activities of Ekpa are sabotaging them.
He also informed the House that about 140,000 terrorists have surrendered and are awaiting disarmament, and that there is no single territory currently being occupied by Boko Haram insurgents at the moment.
Meanwhile the Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Hassan Abububakar has said that the security environment in the country has remained fluid and unpredictable due to the uptick in the activities of insurgents such as bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements in the country.
The contemporary operating environment he stated is characterized by terrorists who situate themselves with the general populace which makes targeting complex in view of the need to avoid collateral damage.Thus, the Nigerian Air Force kinetic operations are supported by credible intelligence to minimize undesired casualties
He assured that the Nigerian Air Force had continued to conduct independent and joint operations aimed at decimating these criminal elements.
On his on part the Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral Emmanuel I Ogala said that the Nigerian Navy had been able to secure the nation’s territorial waters despite the resurgence of sea primates and oil thieves in the nation’s maritime domain.
He further stated that the Nigerian Navy personnel is deployed in 19 states of the federation and there are three operational commands in the geo-political zones viz: South-East, North-Central and South-West.
He said that lack of adequate funds and logistics is hampering the efforts of the Nigerian Navy in security the nation’s territorial waters and assured that sea piracy and oil theft will be tackled by the Navy
Present at the briefing were the CDS, Gen. Chris Musa, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, as they took turns to reel out their challenges, as well as strategies to curbing insecurity.
Earlier in his remarks, Speaker of the House, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas sounded a note of warning that “from the onset, that appearance in person for all invited heads of MDAs are required throughout this sectoral briefing. As such, the House shall not accept proxy representation for any reason whatsoever. Notices are sent well in advance to forestall any excuses”.
