Service Chiefs Honours Reps Invite

The service chiefs and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, have appeared  before the House of Representatives for a security sectoral debate

The service chiefs include the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.

There appearance comes after last Thursday’s criticism of the security heads by the lawmakers for sending representatives, whom they rejected.

Before the executive session, the IGP and the service chiefs alternated in describing the numerous initiatives aimed at resolving the security situation in the nation.

Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff, asked the National Assembly to step in and improve monitoring to include the backwaters, creeks, and other places behind the coastline.

He claims that if this is done, illicit refining, oil theft, and pipeline vandalism will all be continuously monitored around-the-clock.

Among the issues raised by IGP Kayode Egbetokun were inadequate training, inadequate logistics support, a lack of patrol cars for police units, and subpar employee welfare.

CDS Musa requested improved funding, disclosing that every military man including himself is fed N1,500 per day.

The head of defense sought the judiciary’s cooperation to prevent the release of criminals on technical grounds and to handle arrests of high-level offenders through special tribunals.

He said that Simon Ekpa was a threat to the nation and that diplomatic action was required, expressing worry that it jeopardizes the safety of security officers.

Speaking on illegal mining, Gen. Musa expressed a desire for states to take over for proper management.

You would recall that the green chambers had scheduled a meeting with the service chiefs last week but the chiefs had sent representatives which the house rejected.