Buhari chairs National Security Council meeting after Lekki shooting

President Muhammadu Buhari is currently chairing a meeting of the National Security Council at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The council has constitutional role to advise the president on matters relating to public security.

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Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, and the National Security Adviser, retired Major General Babagana Monguno are in attendance.

The Service Chiefs in attendance are the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

The meeting is also being attended by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, Director General of Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, Director General, National Intelligence Agency,Ahmed Rufa’i.

Ministers in attendance include those of Defence, Bashir Magashi, Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, Police Affairs, Mohammad Dingyadi and Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama.

Calls on Buhari

The meeting is convened after the violence that trailed the alleged shooting of #EndSARS protesters at Lekki Tollgate.

The Senate and other eminent Nigerians have called on President Buhari to address the nation in view of the unfolding development across the country.

However, Vice President Osinbajo has spoken on the matter, promising justice for the victims who were shot during Tuesday’s protest at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos.

Osinbajo, in a post on his Facebook wall on Wednesday night, said: “My heart goes out to all the victims of the Lekki shootings, and also the  policemen and all other men and women who lost their lives in the past few days in different parts of Lagos and other states.

“I spoke to some of those in hospital. The pain of these terrible events is palpable in our towns and cities, and some losses are irreplaceable, but we can and will get justice for all of them. I stand with Lagos and all other affected states in these trying times.

“We pray we will never see a repeat of these tragedies in Jesus name. God bless you all.”

Amnesty International and other campaigners have said at least 12 people were killed by soldiers and police in two locations in Lagos on Tuesday night.

“Fake News”

The Nigerian army has dismissed the reports as “fake news”.

Video footages posted on social media have shown men in military camouflage shooting at protesters.

Following Tuesday’s shooting, arsonists went on a rampage and burnt the headquarters of the Nation Newspapers and TV Continental that are linked to the National Leader of the ruling APC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Federal and state government structures including the headquarters of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) were set ablaze by the rampaging youths who also burnt the family residence of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and that of his mother.