Bama attack: Jonathan, Service Chiefs, IGP in emergency meeting

Apparently disturbed by the latest terror attack on Bama Barracks in Borno State, President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday met with Service Chiefs and the Inspector general of Police at an emergency session.
The closed doors meeting, which focused on the Bama attack, was held at an unusual place: the Command Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, Abuja.
In attendance were the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Saad Ibrahim; the Chiefs Army, Navy, Air Force and the IGP, Mohammed Abubakar.
President Jonathan had gone to the Command Officers’ Mess to preside over the decoration of the newly promoted 48 officers in the Army, Navy and Air Force to the rank of Major Generals but had to engage the Service Chiefs and the IGP in a meeting before the event.
The dreaded Islamist sect, Boko Haram, in the early hours of Friday attacked Bama Barracks.
The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Chris Olukolade, confirmed the attack in a statement but would not mention the casualties on both sides.
The President said: “It is a very challenging moment.
“I remember when I came in, I had a meeting with the Service Chiefs and Inspector General of Police because of what happened in Bama.
“It is a very challenging period in this country and we expected, as we say that to those who more is given, more is expected.
“For those of you who have been so decorated as full two-star generals, we expect that you will bring your experience to bear.
“We must work together as a team to make sure that the armed forces are able to protect lives and property of Nigerians.
“If we cannot do that, the reputation of the country will continue to go down.
“A number of issues are being raised in the media.
“There is so much of challenge in the Armed Forces and other security agencies in the country.
“All of us collectively must stand up for our own responsibilities and go the extra mile to see that as a nation, we overcome these challenges.”
The Defence spokesman said the terrorists came from cells located across Nigerian border with Cameroun through Banki town.
According to Olukolade: “High caliber weapons such as anti-aircraft and rocket propelled guns were freely used in the attack that lasted several hours.
“Ground troops backed by the Air Force have repelled the attack and are in pursuit of the insurgents. Details of casualties recorded in the incident will be released when the ongoing cordon and search operations in the general area is concluded”.
Olukolade however assured the public that reinforcement has been dispatched to enhance the operation in pursuit of the terrorists.
He said: “Normalcy is being been restored in the barracks and the surrounding.”