The Nigerian Senate has opted to delay questioning military chiefs regarding the country’s security situation until February 13, 2024. This postponement aims to ensure the participation of all relevant parties involved in national security management.
The decision to expand the briefing prompted the Senate to reschedule the appearance of the military chiefs before lawmakers. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele proposed the motion to postpone the security briefing, a move supported by Senator Abba Moro, the Senate’s minority leader.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio approved the adjournment, emphasizing the Senate’s desire for a comprehensive discussion on the issue of insecurity. Consequently, the Senate clerk was tasked with extending invitations to include all Service Chiefs, as well as the Minister of Police Affairs, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of State for Defence, and the National Security Advisor.
In response to the prevailing nationwide insecurity, the Senate convened an extraordinary session on January 30, the first legislative day of the year. During this session, the Senate unanimously resolved to summon the service chiefs.
Among the service chiefs present at Wednesday’s briefing were General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS); Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS); Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS); and Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS).
