The Council of State rose from its second meeting of the year on Tuesday with an assurance to Nigerians that the over 200 schoolgirls abducted from their school in Chibok, Borno State on April 14 will be rescued soon.
The meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan had in attendance Vice President Namadi Sambo; President of the Senate, David Mark; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former President Shehu Shagari and former Head of the Interim National Government, Ernest Shonekan.
Others are former military Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon; Abdusalam Abubakar and Ibrahim Babangida as well as some
former Chief Justices of Nigeria and state governors.
Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, who briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting, said the President and the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), briefed council members on steps being taken to tackle insurgency in parts of the country and rescue the abducted girls.
Akpabio said military authorities also confirmed the steps with a promise that the nation would soon hear something to cheer about, adding that with the briefing, the council was satisfied that security agents know where the girls are kept and they are on top of the situation.
“Top on the agenda of the meeting was the security of the nation. We were briefed by the President and
the National Security Adviser on the steps that are being taken.
“Top on the security issue was the rescue of Chibok girls which military authorities also confirmed that efforts were being made and that very soon we will have good news.
“It was also heartwarming to note that the issue is not whether we can rescue the girls, but the issue is how can we rescue them in a way that we can ensure their safety so that we don’t end up in the attempt to rescue them we endanger their lives?
“What also came out is the need for Nigerians to be patient because terrorism is a new challenge in Nigeria and it is not something that goes away immediately and we have to be meticulous in our approach and make sure that we take the best steps forward to reduce and minimise possible loss of lives in an attempt to curb the insurgents.
“We are very satisfied the security agents know very well where the girls are located and they are on top of situation,” Akpabio said.
The governor assured Nigerians that the military authorities working in concert with the governors of various states of the federation were on top of the situation and that they require patience and cooperation in order to bring the situation to an end.
He also stressed the need for every individual to be vigilant in which ever part of the country they are because
security is everybody’s business, stressing that the council commended the security agents who he said are on top of the situation.
Akpabio said the council also ratified commissioners for the National Population Commission for Ekiti, Yobe, Jigawa, Zamfara and Kebbi states in line with constitutional provision.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State said the council was unanimous in their resolution that the media should
put the country first in their reportage of issues bothering on security, arguing that any report that celebrates terrorism is only giving the insurgents incentives.
He added that the council also called on politicians to be more sensitive to national security, stressing that when it comes to national security, political partisanship should give way and all hands must be on the
deck.
The governor said all politicians must speak with one voice in denouncing terrorism and all of them should be seen to be on the same page. “It is not a partisan issue, because if there is no Nigeria, political party becomes irrelevant and all of us can do better and we should change our language. Political parties should choose Nigeria first before partisan consideration.
“Also is the role of religious leaders, that it is not helpful for any religious leader to seek to rationalise this act by suggesting that these people belong to one religion or that their target is another religion and that the entire thing is based on religion.
“It is clear that these are just criminals that are masquerading in whatever name they choose to call themselves. No genuine Christian or Muslim who thinks that God needs help to kill anyone.
“Nigerians, all of us whether in government or out of government on the issue of terrorism we should learn from
the Americans, once America came under attack, whether you are a democrat or republican, everybody believes that with output America, all these other divide will be irrelevant.
“I think Nigerians need to understand that and there can be no quick fix. What is required is that there is sufficient political will to deal with the situation to secure the Nigerian space.”
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