President Muhammadu Buhari is presiding over the third meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) in 2 weeks.
Under the Third Schedule Part I Federal Executive Bodies (Established by Section 153), Section 26, “The Council shall have power to advise the President on matters relating to public security including matters relating to any organisation or agency established by law for ensuring the security of the Federation.”
The meeting, holding at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, has in attendance Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha; and Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari.
Also present are the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd); National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd); Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor; Chief of Army Staff; Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru; Chief of Naval Staff; Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amoo; and the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba.
The meeting is also being attended by Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General Samuel Adebayo.
After last Tuesday’s meeting, there was no media briefing and no statement was issued on its outcome.
However, after penultimate Friday’s meeting, General Monguno issued a statement, saying that President Buhari who was concerned about the persisting security challenges in parts of the country, hence the need for a second crucial meeting of the National Security Council.
Monguno said the President made it clear at the meeting that while the insurgents, bandits and criminals are still at it, he has no doubt that the security agencies will certainly overcome the current security problems and defeat the forces of evil marauding about in different parts of the country.
According to him, “while the criminals continue to test the will of the Nigerian government, the President and the Council which adjourned today’s critical meeting until Tuesday morning to receive further briefings from the Security Chiefs, are set and determined to decisively end the assault on the nation and will do all that it takes.
“Mr. President is very prepared to take profound measures in the wider interest of the people and the Nigerian nation. There shall be no relenting until peace and security is significantly restored in our communities.”