Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Nigerian Government to Inspect Armouries While Jonathan Appoints 'Terrorism Aide'

Bomb blast: FG to inspect armouries - Jonathan to appoint aide on terrorism .

Tuesday, 04 January 2011 00:00
Mohammed S. Shehu

The National Security Council yesterday rose from an emergency meeting with a resolution to inspect all police licensed armouries with a view to establishing sources of ammunitions and how they were imported and used in the country. President Goodluck Jonathan summoned the meeting at the Presidential Villa Abuja to review the deteriorating security situation in the country following the New Year eve’s bomb blast that claimed many lives at the Mogadishu Barracks’ Mammy Market, Abuja.

The presidency also yesterday announced its intention to appoint a presidential special adviser on terrorism next week and fast- track the passage of the anti-terrorism bill currently with the National Assembly.

Briefing newsmen shortly after the three-hour meeting, presidential spokesman Ima Niboro said the President convened the emergency meeting in order to review the state of security in the country following the bomb incident.

He said the meeting also resolved to set-up two committees: a presidential committee on the control of explosive and incendiary materials and a committee on public enlightenment on general security awareness amongst citizens.

Niboro also disclosed plans by the government to introduce CCTVs in public places for access control and regulation for access control to public and private establishments in the country.

He said, “The meeting also reviewed the bomb incident of New Year’s eve and condemned it as an act of terror. Mr. President in the next one week is to appoint a special adviser on terrorism and will work with the National Assembly to ensure the speedy passage of the anti-terrorism bill.”

He said in the build up to the elections, the police have been direction to ensure the prompt arrest and prosecution of political thugs.

The meeting had in attendance, Defence Minister Adetokumbo Kayode; National Security Adviser, Gen Andrew Azazi (rtd); Police Affairs Minister Humphrey Abbah, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Azubuike Ihejirika, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ola Ibrahim, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar.

Others are the Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS), Ekpeyong Ita and the Director General Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador E. O. Oladeji.

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