Worst of Insecurity is Over, Lai Mohammed Insists

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Monday, in Abuja, took a huge step in calming the frayed nerves of Nigerians who hitherto thought that their country was at the mercy of terrorists and allied non-state actors.

At a joint press briefing with three other heads of ministries, including Defence-Gen. Bashir Magashi; Police, Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi; and Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Information Minister declared categorically that the worst of insecurity in Nigeria was over.

Though he admitted that there might be “pockets of attacks” here and there, the situation has drastically improved. And it can never be worse again.

“As far as the daunting security challenges we face are concerned,” Lai Mohammed said, “we can tell you that the worst is over. Never again will terrorists and bandits and their cohorts hold sway in our country.

“President (Muhammadu) Buhari’s directive to the military to crush those terrorising our citizens is working, hence, peace and security are gradually being restored to the country.”

Assuring that government was working itself to the bones towards ensuring that no Nigerian languishes in terrorists’ den again, the Minister implored people with useful information about kidnapped persons to report to relevant authorities.

Mohammed also implored the media to always give as much prominence to the security agencies and their exploits against terrorism as they do the activities of the blood-baying bandits and terrorists whenever they attack.

But the Minister would not respond to a question on why it took the President’s recent directive for security agencies to rise to their responsibilities of securing citizens.

Rather, he continued: “Judging by the available reports to me and news that have begun emerging in the last few days, I will say they have heard this instruction and are responding appropriately. In the past couple of days, you must have heard about the number of terrorists neutralised by the military and the number of hostages freed.

“Mr. President has also assured that the tempo would be sustained until peace and security are fully actualised.”

On his part, Minister of Defence, Gen. Bashir Magashi observed that though the kind of insecurity confronting Nigeria was not “fair fight” as the terrorists, unlike government, have no responsibility, the success recorded across all theatres of operations in recent times were noteworthy. He regretted the murder of Sheik Muhammed Aisami.

Minister of Police Affairs, Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, said the force had embarked on a deliberate policy to ensure maximum development of its manpower.

Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola gave an overview of his ministry’s performance on its core mandate of maintaining internal security through its four agencies. He said the agencies had contributed enormously to Nigeria’s economic development by facilitating entry, operations and establishment of foreigners and foreign firms to do fruitful business in Nigeria.

Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, and chief executives of agencies under the Ministry of Interior also attended the briefing, which Information Minister, Lai Mohammed said was primarily to inform Nigerians about the security situation in the country.

Mohammed further noted that while Nigeria, the most populous black nation on earth, might not be there yet, the military and other security agencies have succeeded substantially in containing insecurity.