National Security Concerns: Defence Minister Calls Emergency Meeting with Military Leaders Amid Escalating Violence

In a bid to curb the rising insecurity in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has implemented measures including a ban on night okada operations and cart pushing in major areas.

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This move is part of a broader effort to stem the frequent abduction and killing of people in the state, which has been plagued by insecurity in recent times.

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Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has raised concerns over the escalating wave of kidnappings, killings, and violent attacks in several communities in Ekiti State, particularly in the Ekiti North I federal constituency.

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The Senate has also urged the military to intensify its counter-insurgency operations in the North-East by strengthening intelligence gathering, surveillance, and operational capabilities to end insecurity in the region and across the country.

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Following the recent killings of military officers, soldiers, and ordinary Nigerians, Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, retd, summoned all service chiefs to his office in Abuja to review ongoing strategies across different operational areas in the country.

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The meeting, which was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, among others, aimed to reassess the military's approach to addressing the escalating insecurity.

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Other attendees included the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abass; and representatives of the National Intelligence Agency.

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The meeting came on the heels of the murder of Zaki Sughter Agamber, the traditional ruler of Mbajiir in Tongov, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue State, who was killed by armed men.

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General Musa assured Nigerians that the military remains committed to restoring peace and security nationwide, stating that the meeting was convened to review ongoing military strategies across different operational areas in the country.

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He acknowledged that the military had suffered casualties in recent engagements but stressed that the terrorists were suffering greater losses, with more commanders and assets being taken out.

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General Musa urged Nigerians not to be discouraged by misinformation circulating on social media, which he said could undermine the morale of troops, and instead called on citizens to support security agencies by providing credible information and reporting suspicious activities.