Defence Chief Summons High-Level Security Meeting Amid Nationwide Protests

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, is set to hold a closed-door meeting today with all heads of the country’s security forces. This urgent gathering, taking place at Defence Headquarters, follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive to intensify security measures in response to escalating protests across the nation.

While the specific agenda remains undisclosed, sources suggest the meeting will focus on strategizing the implementation of President Tinubu’s recent crackdown orders. The meeting will bring together the heads of key security and intelligence agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), and the Inspector-General of Police.

Key military leaders, such as the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, are also expected to attend. Additionally, the heads of Correctional Services, Immigration, Customs, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other paramilitary organizations have been invited.

“The meeting is set to commence shortly. It is a strategic session aimed at operationalizing the directives issued by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” a security source disclosed.

This meeting follows President Tinubu’s decision to cancel Monday’s Federal Executive Council meeting and summon the Service Chiefs to address the growing unrest. The protests, which have spread to major cities such as Kano and Kaduna, have also sparked concerns over possible foreign interference, as Russian flags were reportedly seen during the demonstrations.

In response, the police have arrested several individuals linked to the display of these flags, heightening the government’s concern over external influences in the ongoing protests.