Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday met with top security and intelligence officials at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to review the country’s security situation and ongoing operations across various regions.
The closed-door meeting, which lasted more than two hours, brought together the nation’s military leadership, intelligence chiefs and key security advisers, according to officials familiar with the discussions.
Those in attendance included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru; Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede; Inspector-General of Police, Olatunde Disu; Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Ajayi; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed; and the President’s Special Adviser on Homeland Security, Major General Adeyinka Famadewa (retd.), among other security officials.
The meeting came days after troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA and the Air Component of the Joint Task Force in the North-West carried out operations against armed groups in Zamfara and Katsina states.
On July 7, Nigerian Air Force aircraft reportedly tracked a convoy of about 300 armed fighters on motorcycles moving from the Sunke-Kumbo axis towards Gummi and launched airstrikes on the group.
Security forces also announced the killing of Alhaji Tukur, described by the military as a notorious bandit commander and younger brother of wanted kingpin Alhaji Shehu Bagiwaye, during an operation in Dogon Kade.
In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai repelled an attack on the Mairari military base on July 1 amid continued efforts to counter insurgent activities in the region.
The Presidency had not released details of Thursday’s deliberations as of press time.
Speaking after a previous security briefing in March, the defence minister said security forces were making progress against criminal groups across the country.
“Contrary to what you may read or hear, the terrorists and bandits are taking more casualties. Their commanders are being killed every day. We are confident of victory,” Musa had said.
