Insecurity: Jonathan, governors, security chiefs meet

Posted by admin Goodluck Jonathan (2010-present), Governors, Presidency Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

For some hours yesterday, President Goodluck Jonathan, some governors majority of whom were from South-South, security chiefs including the National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Andrew Azazi, the Director of State Security Service (SSS), Ita Ekepenyong, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice-Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ola Sahad Ibrahim and Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim discussed general insecurity in the country with main focus on Boko Haram.

Last Thursday’s bomb blasts at the Nigeria Police headquarters in Abuja, it was learnt, dominated the discussions with President Jonathan charging them to come up with fresh strategies to combat the crime, described as alien to the country.
Also discussed was how to sustain the relative peace in the Niger Delta, between the President and governors from that region yesterday.

The governors of South-South at the meeting were Rotimi Amaechi, Rivers, Adams Oshiomhole, Edo, Timiprie Sylva, Bayelsa, and Liyel Imoke of Cross River. The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio was absent.
A source hinted that the implementation of the amnesty programme granted militants was also discussed.
Daily Sun gathered that last Thursday’s bomb blast at the Force Headquarters has set off security alarm across the country, governors from other regions are seeking ways to ensure adequate security in their region as the activities of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram continue unabated.

Briefing State House Correspondents after the meeting, Kwara State Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed confirmed that the issue is not unconnected with security.
He said the recent bomb blast is not a good sign. He stressed that the government at all levels should begin to look at possible remote factors that could have led to the incident.
“We had a private discussion on the Boko Haram obviously, we know that it is not a good sign and a good omen for Nigeria. What I think we should look at are the factors that led to this incident. We must look at the factors that are leading to people to engage in suicide bombing.

“I think it is going to be more in our interest to look at it from that angle. We look at the social problem that are leading to people engaging in suicide bombing and other allied issues.
“I think it is going to go a long way in giving us the solution. It is a very unfortunate situation, but I think it requires a lot more look from every angle.

“All stakeholders should come together, sit and look at it. To understand what is bringing this trend. It is a foreign trend. It is not Nigerian. It is un-African, so let us look at it from the critical angles of what is it that are likely to cause people to go into suicide bombing.

“I think that is going to help us a lot better and lead us into getting lasting solution into getting to the root of the problem,” he said.
Governor Amaechi also told newsmen, “that people of Rivers condemned the bomb blast, it is disastrous and I think we should do something to ensure that it does not repeat itself. It is becoming a little bit worrisome that our brothers who call themselves members of Boko Haram can go to the extent of making us lose innocent lives. So, we condemn it in its totality”.

-Sunwp_posts