President Muhammadu Buhari has reassured citizens in the country of his commitment to securing the lives and property of all.

He gave the reassurance at the National Security Council meeting held on Thursday at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, revealed the President’s position while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting.

He said he briefed the council, along with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, on the security situation and the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the country.

The meeting had in attendance, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, heads of various security agencies, and some ministers.

They included the Minister of Defence, Retired Major General Bashir Magashi; Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, among others.

The services chiefs were led to the State House by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin.

Also present were the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; the Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Army’s Chief of Policy and Plans, Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun.

Others included the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; and Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi.

Consequently, the President has said he is committed to spending whatever resources he has at his disposal to bring to a quick end all the issues affecting citizens of the country.

The NSA said the meeting started with a comprehensive brief by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of Presidential Taskforce in COVID-19, Boss Mustapha on the gains made so far.

He said that the SGF highlighted areas of concern, areas which need to be addressed as well as making projections for the next couple of weeks, adding that Mustapha’s brief was mainly focused on the current situation in areas that need urgent attention and possible solutions.

Besides, Monguno said he in his capacity as the NSA, gave briefings that revolve around the insurgency in the north east, armed banditry and emergence of all kinds of groups that are not essentially known, as well as kidnappings which has been on the increase in recent times.

According to him, “I, as national security adviser, presented a couple of memos to council in relation to the current security challenges faced by Nigeria and of course these are issues that revolve around the insurgency in the north east, armed banditry and emergence of all kinds of groups that are not essentially bonafide.

“I also highlighted other issues that are related to the problems of kidnapping which we noticed has been on the increase in recent times.
“But the most important thing is that I stressed to council that there is a need for collective action not just for the security agencies but by all ministries, departments and agencies of governments, civil societies organizations and all non-governmental Organisations within Nigeria. “We have, of course known that we are all firmly within the cross heirs of all kinds of criminal elements trying to undermine national security.

“Mr. President noted all the issues raised and of course in due time he will be able to address these issues.. “Arising from this meeting, I will like to assure all Nigerians that Mr. President is fully on board, he is committed to doing whatever is necessary to reduce the spate of violence and insecurity in the country.

“He is also committed to spending whatever resources he has at his disposal to bring to a quick end to all the issues affecting Nigerians and bringing a lot of sorrows to Nigerians.

“That is the most important takeaway from today’s meeting. Mr. President’s reassurance that issues are being addressed and that he will redouble his effort in ensuring that the primary responsibility of government which is to ensure the safety of lives and property is realized.”