THE absence of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa on Wednesday stalled the planned interface with the Security Chiefs.
Consequently, the Senate has summoned the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, to appear before it on Tuesday next week over rising insecurity in the country.
The Senate also invited the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar and the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
The Senate had earlier summoned the Service Chiefs including the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi, to brief it on the deteriorating security situation in the country.
Shortly after admitting the Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police and DG DSS into the Chamber on Wednesday, the Senate made a U-Turn and postponed the session.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio who announced the postponement and extension of fresh invitations at plenary said it would be in the interest of the country for the Ministers of Defence, DG NIA and the Minister of Interior to be present during its session with the Service Chiefs.
It therefore discharged the Service Chiefs without taking any briefing from them and directed them to reappear on Tuesday next week when the Ministers of Defence other invited security hierarchy would be present.
Details later…