Insecurity: Senate in closed-door meeting with security chiefs, finance minister

The Nigerian Senate is currently in a closed-door meeting with security chiefs in the country and Wale Edun, the minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, to discuss the worsening state of insecurity in the country.

Those in attendance are Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff; Hassan Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff; Yusuf Bichi; director-general of the Department of State Services; Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police; Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff; Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff; Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser.

Others are Mohammed Badaru, minister of defence; Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence; Ibrahim Geidam, minister of police affairs; Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, minister of state, police affairs; Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior; and the director-general of the National Intelligence Agency.

Shortly after the Senate admitted the security chiefs, it resolved into a closed-door session to take briefings as well as interface with the security team as well as the finance minister

Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the meeting became necessary because of the worsening insecurity across the country, including the nation’s capital. He said the finance minister is key in the discussion because of the impact of security on the economy.

Akpabio also informed that the Senate has received several petitions from constituents over the state of security across the country.

The outcome of the interface, which is expected to birth solutions to the spate of killings, kidnappings, and various forms of criminality, will be tabled before President Bola Tinubu for action.

The Senate had scheduled February 6 for the meeting, but it could not be due to the absence of several security chiefs.

Akapabio had said a complete team is needed for a robust, holistic, and complete discussion on the recent upsurge in insecurity throughout the country.