SECURITY ALERT WITH JIDE

Jonathan to appoint SA on terrorism

President Goodluck Jonathan is to appoint a special adviser on terrorism as a measure of addressing the nation’s security challenges.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ima Niboro, said this in Abuja on Monday after an emergency meeting of the National Security Council, presided over by the president at the State House.

Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting which lasted for three hours, Niboro said the meeting reviewed the state of security in the nation and took far- reaching decisions.

He said the president would work with the National Assembly to ensure the speedy passage of the anti-terrorism bill.

Niboro said the government would set up a presidential committee on the control of explosives and other incendiary materials and a presidential committee on public enlightenment on general security awareness.

He said the meeting also resolved that the government should introduce Close Circuit Television (CCTV) in public places for monitoring and access control.

As parts of the efforts to control the importation of arms and firearms, he said the council approved the inspection of all armories licensed by the police.

In the build up to the 2011 elections, Niboro said the council directed the police to ensure prompt arrest and prosecution of political thugs.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed, the ministers of defence, Adetokunbo Kayode; interior, Emmanuel Iheanacho; and police affairs, Humphrey Abbah.

Also in attendance were the National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Oluseyi Petinrin, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubike Ihejirika, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Dikko Umar, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ola Ibrahim and the Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim.

The Director-General of SSS, Ekpeyong Ita, the Director-General of Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. E. Oladeji and the Chief of Staff to the President, Mike Oghiadomhe, were also in attendance.