Jonathan, Governors And Security Chefs Hold Enlarged Security Council Meeting

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday held a closed-door enlarged meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) with the state governors, security chiefs and spiritual leaders.

President Jonathan, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar and CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, during the Expanded Security Council Meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday, April 24. PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN / The Nation

The session kicked off at 12.10pm at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja and finished at about 7pm.

The meeting was declared open by prayer sessions led by President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar.
Also in attendance were the ministers, state governors, heads of security agencies and para-military organizations, and spiritual leaders (see the full list below).

Participants were expected to discuss the growing insecurity in Nigeria and decide on the extension of emergency rule in three northern states.

The emergency rule had been declared in May last year and extended in November for six month as part of government efforts to put an end to the violent activities of Boko Haram insurgents.
The meeting followed two horrible incidents, namely the abduction of 234 school girls in Chinok, Borno State, and a deadly bomb blast in Nyanya bus park in Abuja.

Initially the meeting had been scheduled for tomorrow but was postponed till today for unknown reason.

Last Thursday Jonathan held a similar meeting with 16 governors, but the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) were not in attendance as they were reportedly told that the meeting had been cancelled.

Credit: This Day

Credit: This Day

Press briefing after the enlarged National Security Council meeting at the Villa, Thursday, April 24. Credit: @abati1990