Nigeria Content Online

An emergency
meeting of security chiefs was held yesterday behind closed doors in
Abuja. The meeting, which was presided over by President Goodluck
Jonathan, was summoned to deliberate over the spate of bombings and
security breaches across the country.

A source said the
president ordered the security chiefs to discuss and find how to bring
the violence that has become common across the country under control.

It was gathered
that the president expressed concern that security has become a
challenge, thus leading to loss of lives and raising fears over the
elections coming up in April.

On the eve of
Christmas, series of bombs exploded in different areas of Jos leading
to the death of over 80 people, while another exploded at a People’s
Democratic Party (PDP) rally in Yenogoa, Bayelsa State. On December 31,
there was a bomb explosion at the Mogadishu Barracks in Abuja, killing
four persons while several others were injured.

Terrorism adviser to be named

At the end of the
emergency security meeting yesterday, it was announced that an adviser
to the president is to be named in the next one week. Although the name
of the adviser was not revealed, it was gathered that the announcement
was delayed because of the need to make some consultations and carry
out some security checks on the appointee.

The Federal Capital
Territory (FCT) had in 2008 installed CCTV in some strategic areas in
Abuja and its environs. However, the functionality of these gadgets has
come under question in view of recent events.

Briefing
journalists after the meeting, the special adviser to the president on
media and publicity, Ima Niboro, said, “The president convened an
emergency meeting of the National Security Council to address the state
of security in the country. The meeting also reviewed the bomb incident
of New Year’s eve and condemned them as an act of terror. Mr. President
in the next one week is to appoint a special adviser on terrorism.

“Mr. President will
work with the National Assembly to ensure the speedy passage of the
anti-terrorism bill. Government will also introduce CCTVs in public
places for access control. Regulations are also underway for the access
control for both public and private establishments.”

He disclosed that a
presidential committee on the control of explosive and other incendiary
materials will also be set up as well as a committee on public
enlightenment on general security awareness amongst citizens.

In the build up to
the elections, Mr. Niboro said “the police have been directed to ensure
the prompt arrest and prosecution or political thugs,” adding that “all
armouries licenced by the police are to be further inspected to
regulate how the materials are imported and used in Nigeria.”

Those present at
the emergency security meeting, which was chaired by the president
include: the minister of defence, Adetokunbo Kayode; the minister of
interior, Emmanuel Iheanacho; the minister of police affairs, Humphrey
Abba; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed;
Chief of Staff, Mike Oghiadomhe; director general of State Security
Service, Ekpenyong Ita; National Security Adviser, Andrew Azazi; Chief
of Defence Staff, Oluseye Petirin; the Chief of Air Staff, Dikko Umar;
Chief of Naval Staff, Ola Ibrahim; Chief of Army Staff, Azubike
Ihejirika; and Hafiz Ringim, the Inspector General of Police.