The Senate is currently holding a crucial meeting with top officials from security agencies and the Economic team to address the recent surge in security challenges across the nation.
At 11:35 am, the Senate suspended its usual rules to allow non-legislators entry into the plenary session.
Senate President, GodsWill Akpabio, had summoned the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Taoheed Lagbaj; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Hassan Abubakar; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Director General of Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi; and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, among others, for a meeting two weeks ago. However, the NSA and the Chief of Defence Staff were notably absent.
Expressing the Senate’s desire for a comprehensive discussion, Akpabio stated the importance of including members of the economic team in the meeting.
With the postponement of the initial meeting to today, invitations were extended to key figures such as Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawale; Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Geidam; Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Ibrahim; Minister of Interior, Hon Olubunmi Tunji Ojo; Minister of Finance, Olawale Edun; and Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.
Welcoming the guests, Akpabio expressed gratitude to the Security chiefs for their presence.
Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, proposed a motion for the Senate to adjourn into a closed-door session to receive security briefings.
Following a voice vote by the Senate President, lawmakers and representatives from various security and economic teams entered into the closed-door session.
Further details will be provided as the meeting progresses.
