Jonathan, Zuma In Security Talks …As Service Chiefs Brainstorm Over Insecurity

President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday in Abuja, hosted his South African counterpart, Jacob Zuma, who was on a one-day working visit to Nigeria.

The two leaders held closed-door consultations upon the visitor’s arrival.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, Zuma said they held consultations on matters relating to both countries, security on the continent and the proposed state visit by Jonathan to South Africa.

He underscored the need for Nigeria and South Africa to align and take common positions on issues relating to peace, security and development on the continent.

“We have had a very fruitful consultation,” he said. “We believe that between Nigeria and South Africa, it is important to align and harmonise our thinking on matters that need countries in the continent to take specific decisions. At the core of some of the issues we raised is the issue of security of the continent. As you know that there have been some difficulties in a number of countries. We touched upon those issues and we will certainly take the discussions further when we meet in South Africa.”

Zuma said they also discussed the proposed Golden Jubilee celebration of the creation of the OAU which later metamorphosed to AU.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday met with security chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to brainstorm on the disturbing security situation in the country ochestrated by the fundamentalist Islamic sect, Boko Haram insurgency.

Sources said the meeting may consider the report of the security committee on amnesty the President set up two weeks ago to look at the propriety or otherwise of granting amnesty to the violent Boko Haram members.

The meeting, sources said was aimed at mapping out strategies to tackle the widening security challenges, which appear to be heightened by the recent threat of attacks by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).

Since the sentencing of Henry Okah, the self-claimed leader of the militant group in South Africa, to 24 years in prison, and MEND’s threat to launch what it called, “Operation Hurricane Exodus”, the group has claimed responsibility for two attacks in the Niger Delta.

First, it claimed responsibility for the attack, which resulted in the killing of about 12 policemen on escort duty in the creeks of Azuzuama in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State some two weeks ago.

Last weekend, it also claimed to have been responsible for a sabotage attack on a Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria wellhead in Nembe Creek, which resulted in crude spill in the area.

Both attacks have been shrugged off by the Joint Military Task Force (JTF), as perpetrated by aggrieved ex-militants and oil thieves, respectively, and are not in anyway related to MEND.

The meeting between President Jonathan and the service chiefs is coming less than 12hours after the President met with traditional rulers from the northern part of the country, to solicit their support in effort to douse the Boko Haram tension, and restore peace to that part of the nation.