Tinubu summons Council of State, police over insecurity

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for an emergency meeting of the Council of State and the Police Council, scheduled for Thursday, October 9, 2025, to discuss the growing insecurity affecting several parts of Nigeria and other key national matters.

The high-level meetings, which will take place at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, are expected to bring together former presidents, governors, security chiefs, and other top government officials to deliberate on practical solutions to the country’s mounting security challenges.

According to a statement on Monday by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, Dr. EmansoUmobong, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has formally invited members of both councils to participate either physically or virtually.

The statement read, “The meetings aim to discuss matters of national importance and key issues affecting national security and policing. The Council of State meeting is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., while the Police Council meeting will hold at 2:00 p.m.”

The Council of State, chaired by the President, is an advisory body comprising former Presidents, former Heads of State, former Chief Justices of Nigeria, state governors, and the Attorney-General of the Federation. It provides counsel on major policy matters, including national security and appointments.

The Police Council, on the other hand, oversees the organisation, administration, and operational control of the Nigeria Police Force, including the appointment and discipline of senior officers.

Presidency sources told The PUNCH that the meetings would review the nation’s security situation, evaluate ongoing military operations, and consider fresh measures to tackle banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence in some northern and central states.

The planned sessions will also coincide with deliberations on key political and administrative matters, including the expected nomination of a successor to the outgoing Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The meetings come just after President Tinubu’s return to Abuja on Monday evening from a 10-day working visit to Lagos, where he held a series of engagements with investors, development partners, and political stakeholders.

His aircraft, a San Marino-registered BBJ T7-NAS, landed at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 6:55 p.m., according to a statement by the State House media office.

While in Lagos, the President met with leading business figures, including Global Infrastructure Partners CEO, Bayo Ogunlesi, and Metis Capital Partners Chairman, Keem Belo-Osagie, where discussions centred on expanding investment in infrastructure, energy, and logistics — sectors critical to economic diversification and job creation.

He also hosted the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation, Arsenio Dominguez, alongside Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to discuss developing Nigeria’s blue economy as “a viable alternative to fossil energy.”

Before returning to Abuja, Tinubu toured several states, including Oyo, Imo, and Plateau, for national events and engagements, during which he reiterated his administration’s focus on unity, security, and inclusive development.

At a funeral in Jos for the late mother of APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the President reaffirmed his commitment to religious harmony, saying, “My mission is to unite this country and ensure its prosperity. Progress is being made on both fronts.”

Thursday’s Council of State meeting will be the second under Tinubu’s administration and is expected to set the tone for renewed intergovernmental coordination in addressing the country’s multifaceted security challenges.