This decision was made in response to the recent kidnapping of five female students from the Federal University Dutsin-Ma in Katsina state.

The summoned officials include General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff; Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff; Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff; Air Marshall Hassan Abubakar, the Chief of Air Staff; Olukayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police; and Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser.

The Senate has urged security agencies to be more proactive in rescuing the abducted female students and the corps members kidnapped by terrorists in Zamfara State.

They also called for special military operations to dislodge bandits in the North-West and other parts of the country.

Additionally, the senators emphasized the need to address the manpower deficit in the armed forces and police and reiterated the importance of creating state police as part of the solution to the country’s security challenges.

No specific date has been set for the meeting with the service chiefs.

The recent kidnapping at the Federal University Dutsin-Ma underscores the urgency of addressing the security issues facing Nigeria.

Speaking at the presidential villa, Abuja, the Nigerian leader told the service chiefs that they have a few weeks to secure the country.

He said “During our four-hour security meeting, on Tuesday, I had taken the responsibility as Commander-in-Chief for you to go out into the field and secure the country.  You have got a few weeks to do that because, by the rainy season, we expect people to develop confidence and go back to the land. So that we don’t get into trouble by being away from the field and therefore unable to produce enough food for the nation. I have accepted responsibility for your actions in the field; it’s up to you to identify your competent officers irrespective of seniority and paper qualification and deploy them to make sure that we secure this country. We all look forward to you to perform and I as the Commander-in-Chief, am backing you hundred per cent, and I expect you to effectively deploy your officers and men to secure the country.”

The confirmation followed the report by the Senate Committee on Defence submitted to the Senate plenary.

Senate Committee Chairman on Defence and former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Wamakko in the report explained that the Committee was detailed in the screening in line with the relevant sections of the law, particularly with regard to the tendering of their documents, viz: “Educational certificates, NYSC, Code of Conduct and others.”

Those confirmed are Maj. Gen. Lucky Eluonye lrabor, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS); Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru,  Chief of Army Staff (COAS); Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS); and Air Vice Marshal Isiaka O. Amao,Chief of Air Staff (CAS).

Speaking shortly after their confirmation, the Senate President, Ahmed Lawanurgede the new service chiefs to take the war to the bandits and insurgents and dislodge them in their strongholds

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday titled “President Buhari nominates Olonisakin, Buratai, Ibas, Abubakar, Usman as non-career ambassadors.”

Adesina confirmed that their names have been sent to the Senate for confirmation.

The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari has forwarded the names of the immediate past Service Chiefs to the Senate as non-career Ambassadors-Designate.

“In a letter to Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, President of the Senate, the President said: ‘In accordance with Section 171 (1), (2) (c) & sub-section (4) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I have the honour to forward for confirmation by the Senate, the under-listed five (5) names of nominees as Non-Career Ambassadors-Designate.’

“The nominees include: Gen Abayomi G. Olonisakin (Rtd ), Lt Gen Tukur Y. Buratai (Rtd), Air Vice Marshal Mohammed S. Usman (Rtd), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) and Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (Rtd).

“The President urged the Senate to give expeditious consideration to the nominations.”

This was disclosed in a in a statement on Friday by the President’s aide on National Matters (Senate), Babajide Omoworare.

The former Senator said the letter, addressed to the President of the Senate, was dated January 27.

Nigerians are accusing Buhari of bypassing the legislature in the appointment of the Service Chiefs.

But Omoworare explained that the President did not disregard the federal lawmakers.

“It is on record that this same procedure was adopted when the immediate past service chiefs were appointed,” the SA added.

But the reverse should be the case. The National Assembly should have first grilled the Service Chiefs before assuming office.

In the last 24 hours, the military heads have taken their seats at their respective headquarters.

The Senate decision, which is the third it would pass this year, followed a motion by Senator Kashim Shettima on the recent killing of 43 rice farmers in Borno State by the Boko Haram territorist.

Following this motion, the Senate asked Buhari to replace the security chiefs with new ones “immediately”.

In the same vein, the red chamber also asked Buhari to restructure and remodel the nation’s security architecture.

Similarly, the chamber demanded a probe into the allegations of corruption and financial leakage levelled against some top hierarchy of the military.

The Senate asked Buhari to aggressively negotiate with the nation’s neighbouring countries for multinational cooperation in order to strengthen the war against insurgency.

It directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, NEMA and NEDC to provide succour and psychological support for the families of the victims.

It also sought proper welfare for soldiers at the war front and proper resettlement and support for the families of the fallen soldiers.

It urged the federal and state governments to address issues fueling insecurity.

It similarly called for massive recruitment into the military and the police force.

The presidency made this known hour after the Senate passed a resolution asking Service Chiefs to resign or get sacked for rising insecurity in the nation, especially the recent killing of soldiers and mass resignation in the military.

However, in a brief statement issued on its twitter handle, @NGRPresident, the Presidency said only President Buhari reserves the right to appoint or sack Service Chiefs.

The tweet read “The Senate on Tuesday adopted a resolution calling on the Service Chiefs to resign or be sacked due to the multi-pronged security challenges in the country. The Presidency notes the resolution, and reiterates that appointment or sack of Service Chiefs is a Presidential prerogative, & President Muhammadu Buhari, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, will do what is in the best interest of the country at all times.”