President Bola Tinubu on Monday summoned an emergency security meeting with Nigeria’s service chiefs and heads of intelligence agencies at the State House in Abuja, as questions mount over the country’s security outlook.
The closed-door session brought together the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas; and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Anele.
Also in attendance were the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi; the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
It was said that the meeting was convened to review recent security developments nationwide and to assess emerging threats across several regions.
The discussions come days after the United States Department of State issued a travel advisory authorising the voluntary departure of non-essential government personnel and their families from its embassy in Abuja.
US advisory, released on April 8, cited a "deteriorating security situation" and placed 23 of Nigeria’s 36 states on a "Level 4: Do Not Travel" list, the highest risk classification. Newly added states include Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger and Taraba.
The nation's authorities pointed to threats ranging from insurgency in the North-East and banditry in the North-West and North-Central, to persistent violence in parts of the South and South-East, including oil-producing areas.
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Following the advisory, the US embassy suspended visa appointments in Abuja, while its consulate in Lagos continues to provide routine and emergency services.
However, the Federal Government has downplayed the warning, describing it as a routine precaution based on American internal protocols.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris said isolated incidents should not be mistaken for a nationwide breakdown of law and order, adding that most parts of the country remain stable.
In addition, Monday’s meeting also took place amid public outcry over a Nigerian Air Force operation in Borno State that reportedly killed more than 100 civilians.
The airstrike, carried out on Saturday at Jilli Market along the Borno–Yobe border, was aimed at suspected Boko Haram targets.
While the Nigerian Air Force confirmed conducting what it described as precision strikes on terrorist locations in the Jilli axis, it has not acknowledged civilian casualties or confirmed that a market was hit.
The Presidency has defended the operation, insisting the area had been infiltrated and used by insurgents.