President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday met with the nation’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Service Chiefs as part of intensified efforts to address the growing insecurity across the country.
Speaking after the meeting, the CDS, General Olufemi Oluyede, said the President issued fresh directives and demanded improved results in the fight against insecurity.
The Service Chiefs arrived at the Presidential Villa around 5 p.m., and the meeting lasted for nearly two hours.
The session came a day after President Tinubu nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), as Minister of Defence, following the resignation of his predecessor, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru.
Also in attendance were the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Akomaye Undiandeye; Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi; and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.
Last week, President Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency after a surge in kidnappings and killings across several states.
Measures announced by the President included the recruitment of 20,000 additional police officers and the deployment of forest guards, among other security reforms.
Others present at Tuesday’s meeting were Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Iddi Abbas; and Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke.
General Oluyede described the meeting as “engaging,” noting that the President’s new directives are expected to yield stronger results in the nationwide security operations.
He assured Nigerians that security agencies are enhancing coordination to ensure peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations.