Jonathan directs defence chief to arrest security situation in Nigerian state - Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday in Abuja directed the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshall Oluseyi Petinrin, to immediately take full charge of the security situation in the troubled north central Plateau State and take all necessary actions to stop the spate of killings in the area.

A press release issued by Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said this followed a meeting of the National Security Council, where Jonathan also directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Pius Anyim Pius, to bring up all pending reports by recent committees set up by the Federal Government on the Plateau for immediate review and implementation.

The President, who is scheduled to meet with the Plateau State Governor, Chief Jonah Jang, on Tuesday, further directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to take prompt action to address the plight of internally-displaced persons in the state.

He renewed his call on parties involved in the crises to embrace tolerance, dialogue and compromise to ensure the success of ongoing efforts to achieve a lasting resolution of their differences.

PANA recalled that Jonathan had promised to ensure the full security of lives and property across the country.

Pana 13/09/2011