President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday launched into an emergency meeting with security chiefs and members of the National Security Council and the National Defence Council on the recent breakdown of law and order in Nasarawa State; Baga and Bama, both in Borno State; Wukari in Taraba State and Benue State.
Jonathan may also meet with state governors on the security challenges which may pose danger to the nation’s democracy.
The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) yesterday condemned Wednesday’s killing of policemen and other security agents at Alakyo, Nasarawa State by members of the Ombatse militia.
It was gathered that an overhaul of the nation’s security apparatchik may be imminent.
At the session were Vice-President Namadi Sambo; the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd); Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sahad Ibrahim; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Alex Badeh; Director General of State Security Service (SSS), Mr.Ita Ekpenyong; Inspector-General of Police Muhammed Abubakar who wore a black arm band; and the representative of the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Emmanuel Bassey, Chief of Policy and Plans (COPP).
The security chiefs declined to speak to journalists who had waited patiently to get information on the outcome of the meeting.
Only the IGP spoke briefly.
He described the murder of his men in Nasarawa State as a sad development for the country.
Police Affairs Minister Caleb Olubolade also condemned the killing, but said there would be no reprisal by the police.
Revenge,according to him, will not help the situation, neither will it douse tension.
He said: ”The security agencies, particularly the police, will not want to go and revenge. It is not going to help us because they are supposed to protect lives and property. Going to revenge will not douse tension and will bring about lack of confidence in the system. So, we still strictly discourage that.
“Incidentally, Mr. President has supported the police in recent time more than before. The challenges are more than before. So it is sad that those who are protecting lives and property are becoming the targets of various insurgents and criminals be it political or otherwise.
“What is important now is to re-strategise and empower them the more. Besides that, if there are other avenues that will make us not to grow criminals, the government will have to look into that. The issue of creating employment and other aspects.”
On the call for state of emergency, the Police Affairs Minister declined to comment, saying it was clearly not within his purview, adding that Nigerians “have the right to call for whatever they want. At the end of the day, the President will take a decision.”
Reacting to the allegation that the police were killed in retaliation for the alleged murder of nine members of the cult, the minister said; “I wouldn’t know what is true about that. All I know is that the police have a duty to perform and as such, they must not fear; they must be equipped; they must be trained; they must do their job because they are under instruction. The police will not just wake up and pick their leaders if nothing has gone wrong. The populace must know that anybody can be brought in by the police for interrogation, depending on the intelligence the police get. ”
On the US’ position that the development could destabilise the country, he said: “Well, news reports from outside Nigeria sometime can be misleading. So, we must not rely completely on that because at times, they get information even from our own people, they multiply it and exaggerate it to suit themselves. So, what is important is for us to look inwards as Nigerians, work together, our people should give information to the security agencies who in turn will protect them.”
A source said ahead of the meeting that it would discuss the possible overhaul of the nation’s security system to curtail insurgency in any part of Nigeria.
The source said: ”Definitely, I can assure you that there will be a change of tactics. The military and security agencies may now adopt pre-emptive strategies to save lives.
“Members of the two councils are disturbed at the rate at which military men and police had become the targets of insurgents. This spate of unprovoked attacks will stop.”
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, who confirmed the emergency session to our correspondent, said: “As I speak, an emergency security council meeting is going on with security chiefs. They are doing an overview of the security situation in the country.
“You will recall that the President aborted his trip to Namibia to attend to security challenges in the country. The security session will cover a review of reports on security challenges in Baga, Bama, Wukari, Nasarawa and Benue states.
“The President is having a face-to-face briefing with security chiefs and relevant agencies involved in curtailing those crises.
“I may not be able to give you the details now until after the meeting.”
Another source, however, added: “The President is likely to meet with state governors on whatever proactive measures being put in place to guarantee safety of lives and property in the country.”
Section 16 of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to 1999 Constitution mandates the National Defence Council to “advise the President on matters relating to the defence of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria.”
The council advises the President on “ matters relating to public security, including matters relating to any organization or agency established by law for ensuring the security of the federation.”
In condemning the attack on policemen by members of the Ombatse cult, the NSGF described the ambush as shocking, rude and sad.
It asked the militia to cease its attacks immediately.
Expressing the forum’s condolences to the Police High Command, the Department of State Security Service and the families of the victims, the Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, said no grievance can justify such a dastardly act against law enforcement agents.
In a statement signed by Aliyu’s Chief Press Secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo, the forum called on security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are caught and brought to justice to prevent a re-occurrence, emphasizing that a situation where security personnel on whose shoulders lie the responsibility of protecting lives and property become easy targets for criminals was unacceptable.
The statement lamented frequent attacks on the police and other security agents, saying the nation cannot afford a situation where criminal elements will overwhelm state security apparatus.
It also condemned the killing of farmers and destruction of property by Fulani herdsmen in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, describing it as one attack too many.
The forum called on the authorities to commence the prosecution of 10 suspected mercenaries alleged to have perpetrated the Agatu mayhem.
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