President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has summoned members of the National Security Council to a meeting tomorrow at the Presidential Villa against the background of recent events and developments in the country.
The meeting which will be presided over by President Jonathan is scheduled for 1100 hours.
Those expected at the meeting include Vice President Namadi Sambo, the Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen Aliyu Gusau, the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the State Security Services and the Director-General of National Intelligence Agency.
The meeting of the National
Security Council will be followed at 1300 Hours by an enlarged meeting on
security developments in the country to which President Jonathan has invited State
Governors.
President Jonathan, members of
the National Security Council and the state governors will review the security
situation in the country as well as ongoing national security measures and
operations with a view to determining the best way forward.
President Jonathan reassures
all Nigerians and persons living in the country that the Federal Government remains
very mindful of its responsibility for the safety of their lives and properties
in all parts of Nigeria and will continue to do everything possible to protect
them from the scourge of terrorism and insecurity.
The President is particularly
concerned about the plight of the young Senior Secondary School girls who were
reportedly abducted from their school in Borno State on Monday night and has ordered
the military and national security agencies to deploy maximum efforts towards
rescuing all of the girls and returning them safely to their parents. He welcomes
reports that the military and security agencies have already rescued some of
the girls.
President Jonathan deeply
regrets the pain, sorrow and anguish brought upon many Nigerian families in
recent days as a consequence of recurring security challenges which the nation
is contending with.
The President remains convinced
that with the patriotic commitment and support of all Nigerians, the country will
ultimately overcome its present challenges and move forward in unity and strength.
In this regard, President
Jonathan will be pleased to see all politicians in the country exhibiting
greater responsibility and patriotism by doing more to support his
administration’s sincere efforts to enhance national security rather than
trying to build political capital out of the pain and misery of their
compatriots.
Reuben
Abati
Special
Adviser to the President
(Media
& Publicity)
April
16, 2014
