By Our Correspondent

National News – Bola Tinubu on Monday convened emergency security meetings in Abuja with top military and intelligence chiefs following deadly insurgent attacks in northeastern Nigeria.

The President also held a closed-door session with Chief of Defence Staff Olufemi Oluyede and a visiting French military officer as part of renewed efforts to strengthen international security collaboration.

The urgent meetings came after what authorities described as a deadly improvised explosive device (IED) attack that killed a colonel and six soldiers.

The incident occurred on Sunday night in Monguno, Borno State, where troops of Operation Hadin Kai were engaged by insurgents.

According to military sources, the commander died after stepping on an explosive while assessing the battlefield, highlighting the growing risks faced by frontline personnel.

In addition to the Borno attack, fresh violence erupted in Benue State, where suspected armed herders killed at least 14 people, including a police officer, between Friday and Sunday.

Communities in Apa and Otukpo local government areas were heavily affected, with residents fleeing amid fears of further assaults.

Tinubu recently disclosed ongoing defence cooperation with Emmanuel Macron, focusing on equipment supply and training support for Nigerian forces battling insurgency.

Meanwhile, controversy continues over a Nigerian Air Force strike on April 11 in Jilli market near the Yobe-Borno border.

The operation, intended to target terrorist logistics, reportedly killed civilians, drawing criticism from rights groups.

Government officials, however, insist the location had been used by insurgents.

The United States has also raised concerns, issuing a travel advisory and reducing embassy staff in Abuja due to worsening security threats nationwide.