The Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, says that the Armed Forces will continue to collaborate with other security agencies to ensure peace and security in the north-eastern part of the country.
Olonisakin gave the assurance on Monday at a meeting with the leadership of the House of Representatives in Abuja.
He said that the armed forces in collaboration with other security and intelligence agencies had been contending with terrorism for many years in the region.
He said in spite of the challenges, appreciable progress had been made in the fight against insurgency in the zone.
He said the Armed Forces will continue to strategise to address the changing operational situation of the terrorist.
He said: “We are here to listen to the security concerns of the House and address them with the support of the legislature.”
He appreciated the leadership of the house for the opportunity to interact with them on the issues of insecurity in the north-eastern part of the country and other parts.
Olonisakin said the Service Chiefs recognised the concern of the National Assembly but was unable to appear on Friday due to other national assignments.
He said: “Our various Chiefs of Operations were here to represent us.”They are senior officers in charge of the various headquarters and are qualified to respond to issues.
“I wish to put on record that contrary to insinuations, the absence of the Service Chiefs on Friday was not a deliberate act to disrespect the institution of the assembly.
“We hold the National Assembly in the highest regard and wish to appreciate the institution for the support in the fight against insurgency.”
Earlier, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, said the essence of the meeting was to meet with the Service Chiefs and discuss the security situation in Nigeria.
Gbajabiamila said the meeting was called by the leadership of the House to find out what the challenges were and what the House could do to address it.
The Speaker said the 2019 Budget was to be presented to the House within the next two weeks and that the meeting was timely to address funding challenges.
He said: “Security is one of the major concerns of this government and we have an obligation to arrest the situation and do whatever we can.
“Like in every democracy, there is collaboration among arms of government.”Only when we collaborate that we get the required results.”
Trending
- Minister summons Lead British International School over bullying allegation
- Sex scandal : We won’t oppose any sanction against lecturer -UNN-ASUU
- Sanwo-Olu unveils EKO CARES
- UNN suspends lecturer for alleged sexual misconduct, begins probe
- Oyo LG honours Archbishop Ladigbolu, names road after late father, Akee Obayanritan
- Kogi Assembly blasts EFCC, demands removal of ‘wanted’ from Yahaya Bello’s name
- Zamfara: Passengers overpower bandits, kill one, seize two AK-47 rifles
- Aston Villa confirm new Unai Emery contract until 2027