By Joshua Egbodo
Abuja
The nation’s security chiefs, led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, yesterday met the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Defence to brief them on efforts at containing the spate of insurgency in the country.
The meeting was in fulfilment of part of the conditions set out by the National Assembly prior to approval of extension of the State of Emergency underway in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states to the effect that the security forces must on a monthly basis, update the parliament on its operations in the affected states, while the emergency rule lasts. The initial two meetings were missed; reason for which Badeh disclosed was due to the security chiefs’ absence.
Briefing journalists after the hour-long closed door meeting yesterday, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Sen. George Sekibo, said members of the committees were made to understand that contrary to widespread reports that several communities in the have been overrun, and take over by the Boko Haram sect, the situation on ground did not reflect same.
Before the meeting commenced, Badeh said besides all efforts of the armed forces at addressing internal security challenges, the greatest to them was the Boko Haram insurgence in the North-east.
“The greatest challenge facing the Armed Forces has been the insurgency in the North-east, while other parts of the country are relatively peaceful. But this brief will dwell mostly on the operations in the North-east named Operation Zaman Lafia. The unbearable operations of the Islamic extremists Bokom Haram in the North East charactised by the killing of innocent people, destruction of properties, sacking of local governments and hoisting of their flags to declare an Islamist State, necessitated the declaring of State of Emergency in Adamaywa, Yobe and Borno by Mr. President on May 13, 2013.
“Significantly, troupes are currently carrying out unlimited offensive operations aimed at denying Boko Haram freedom of action and from achieving its aim to isolate and control areas around Maiduguri. Additionally, the involvement of the international community which led to the establishment of the joint planning committee on May 12, 2014, the initial mandate of the joint coordination and planning committee which is championed by America and Britain was the fusion of intelligence for the rescue of abducted Chibok girls but this gradually is being extended to other aspects of the operations.”
Earlier, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Sekibo said Nigerians were worried over the security station and that rather than abating was worsening, even with conflicting information between the military authorities and the media.
Also, in his submissions, the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Defence, Hon. Bashir Adamu, said the parliament was under intense pressure from Nigerians not to approve the last extension of state of Emergency, but that it went ahead to grant it after members were briefed, but that “unfortunately there is escalation after granting the state emergency; the average Nigerian does to know what is going on.”
