hief ofDefence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin, says the service chiefs briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on security issues in the country when they met with him on Tuesday.
General Olonisakin told State House correspondents shortly after the meeting in Abuja that though the recent happenings in the country were not strange to the President, the service chiefs were at the meeting to give him an update.
He said, “He (Buhari) has been receiving regular briefings from the Vice President (Yemi Osinbajo) and he has also been going through the print media and electronic media to follow the happenings in the country.”
“After the meeting, he has directed on some areas we should look at so as to enhance our operations in the country. He talked about the unity of the nation which is non-negotiable; we have all been fully instructed to ensure that that directive is carried out to the letter.”
On the alleged involvement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in secret service, Olonisakin said, “Every security threat, all security threats were treated one after the other – ranging from terrorism to kidnapping, herdsmen/farmers clash, to IPOB issue were all treated. Comments were made as to what to do as regards those issues.”
He said the President has directed the security agencies to ensure that all issues which pose threat to Nigeria’s unity and sovereignty were well addressed.
“Every security like I said, we are going to enhance our operations in all the areas we need to do that. Like I said, he has given the necessary directives which will be carried out by the military and the security agencies,” he added.
The Defence Chief said President Buhari also directed the military to ensure that the life and property of the citizens were protected.
He said the President also asked them to make sure that the whole nation is secured while troops stationed outside the country carry out their jobs effectively.
Olonisakin refuted claims that Boko Haram terrorists were regrouping and hinted that efforts were on to tackle the menace of suicide attacks in the North-East.
He said, “On the Boko Haram issue, you all know it’s an asymmetric warfare. It’s not that the Boko Haram terrorists have stepped up their games, it’s just the issue of the suicide bombing that has been the problem and of course, we’re also working with the security agencies and the intelligence agencies to make sure that we address that menace