Insecurity: Buhari gives service chiefs marching orders

• operation Puff Adder has reduced number of Kidnappings – security chiefs 

President Muhammadu Buhari has given Service Chiefs and other heads of security agencies matching orders to end the reign of insecurity across the country.

This is even as security chiefs say with the setting up of Operation Puff Adder, there have been a remarkable drop in the number of kidnappings. 

He ordered them to ensure that Nigerians go to bed with their eyes closed, feeling confident that their security is guaranteed. 

Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas, stated this while briefing State House Correspondents on the outcome of the meeting which started at 11:30am and ended few minutes to 3pm.

Ibas on the purpose of the meeting said: “It was just basically to appraise Mr. President of the security situation generally after his short vacation abroad. The security agencies briefed him on what has been happening with particular emphasis on the proliferation of small arms and what the various agencies are doing to curtail the consequences of this proliferation. 

“He has also given directives that the agencies should do much more to ensure that Nigerians go to bed and wake up feeling healthy and confident that their security is guaranteed.”

On kidnapping that is on the increase, the Naval Chief said: “You will recall during the last meeting, the IG was directed to ensure insecurity is addressed and consequently various operations were set up; Puff Adder was one of the strategies. With the set up of that operations there have been a remarkable drop in the number of kidnappings. What normally would attract attention is when a key person in government perhaps is kidnapped. On the whole, the number of kidnappings has dropped and generally I think the security situation is improving.”

On the kidnapped District Head of Daura, Alhaji Musa Umar, Ibas disclosed that two suspects have been arrested.

He said: “ Serious efforts are being made, key suspects have been arrested and it is hoped that in a short while, those behind the heinous crime will be brought to book.”

Umar, was kidnapped by four unidentified gunmen at his residence shortly after he returned from the mosque where he took part in the evening prayer when the incident happened.

Umar, who is reportedly the father-in-law of the ADC to President Buhari, was sitting in front of his house with some people when the gun totting men came.

The security meeting is the second this week, that President Buhari is coming following the rising cases of banditry, kidnapping among other security challenges facing the country.