Security chiefs meet Buhari, ask for more equipment

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with the nation’s security chiefs. The meeting, which was held inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja, was meant to review ongoing efforts aimed at tackling security challenges across the country. Those who attended the meeting included the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali; National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Abubakar Sadique. The Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar; Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris; the Director-General of the Department for State Services, Lawan Daura; and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, also attended. At the end of the meeting Dan-Ali’s spokesman, Tukur Gusau, issued a statement, giving an insight into what transpired at the meeting. According to the statement, the security chiefs seized the opportunity of the meeting to demand for more equipment from the Federal Government. The minister’s spokesman said in order to forestall future security incidences in Zamfara, Sokoto and Birnin-Gwari axis, Operation Sharan Daji has been extended to cover up to the fringes of Niger Republic border. The statement read, “The operation has recently been reinforced witlh more troops from the Nigerian Armed Forces, Nigeria Police and Department of State Services and is supported by the Intelligence, Surveillance and Recognisance Wing of 207 Quick Response Group of the Nigerian Air Force. “The joint operation has successfully arrested some suspected armed bandits and recovered arms and ammunition.