The Federal Government has described the allegation by a US-based
non-profit organization that the Nigerian government is a sponsor of
terrorism, as a disgusting distraction orchestrated by those seeking
to weaken the ongoing massive onslaught against terrorism and
banditry.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Minister of Information and
Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the so-called Global Advocates for
Terrorism Eradication (GATE) is a pesky irritant that should be
ignored, especially because it is as confused as it is irresponsible.
”This organization called GATE is not even worth the ink with which
its name is written. How can a serious organization accuse a
government that is tackling the twin evil of terrorism and banditry
with uncommon determination of sponsoring terrorism?
”Is it not curious that this organisation has chosen this particular
time, when terrorists are either surrendering in droves or running
helter-skelter, as a result of a renewed offensive against them by the
military, to orchestrate a distraction? What could be GATE’s motive if
not to weaken the fight against terror and banditry?
”GATE and its sponsors should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves and
should quit trying to distract our gallant troops who are doing
everything possible, including making the supreme sacrifice, to keep
our country safe,” the Minister said.
Alhaji Mohammed said the fact that GATE, in making its absurd
allegation, relied on the words of a thoroughly-discredited,
fake-news-peddling former Nigerian Navy intelligence officer has shown
the hollowness of its allegation.
”In the fight against terrorism, Nigeria has availed itself
creditably by tackling home-grown terrorists with links to global
terrorist organizations. We make bold to say that no administration in
Nigeria has risen to the challenge of terrorism like the Buhari
Administration has done.
”The acquisition of a myriad of platforms, the boost to the morale of
our fighting forces and the leadership provided by President Muhammadu
Buhari have combined to put our gallant troops in good stead to
frontally confront and put on the run the terrorists. Fittingly,
Nigeria’s efforts at tackling terrorism have been hailed globally.
”What our gallant men and women need at this time is the support,
encouragement and prayers of all, not the distracting antics of a
relevance-seeking, feckless organization masquerading as a terrorism
eradication advocate,” he said.
