The Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olonisakin has given the reason service chiefs failed to honour the summon by the House of Representatives last Friday.
According to Olonisakin, the service chiefs recognised the concern of the house but were unable to appear on that day “due to other national assignments”.
The defence chief, who spoke on Monday at a meeting with the leadership of the green chambers, said their absence from the meeting was not a deliberate act to disrespect the lawmakers.
“We are here to listen to the security concerns of the house and address them with the support of the legislature,” Olonisakin said.
“Our various chiefs of operations were here to represent us, they are senior officers in charge of the various headquarters and are qualified to respond to issues.
“I wish to put on record that contrary to insinuations, the absence of the service chiefs on Friday was not a deliberate act to disrespect the institution of the assembly.
“We hold the national assembly in the highest regard and wish to appreciate the institution for the support in the fight against insurgency.”
Igbere TV recalls that Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila had invited the service chiefs to discuss the spate of insecurity in the country but they did not show up.
Gbajabiamila, who had expressed disappointment at their action which he described as an insult to the Parliament, threatened to report them to President Buhari.
