The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris has stated clearly that at no time did he dismiss the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum’s security concerns, or ask that the Governor be ignored.
Idris disclosed this on his social media platforms on Wednesday over a report that claimed the Minister dismissed the Governor’s security concerns in Borno, or asked Nigerians to ignore him.During an expanded security meeting at the State House recently, the Governor raised alarm over the escalating attacks by Boko Haram/ISWAP, while urging the federal government, security agencies to take decisive action before the situation spirals out of control.
He said over the past months, communities in Borno have suffered relentless assaults with insurgents targeting villages and military outposts, particularly in Sabon Gari, Wajiroko and Wulgo, among others.Zulum urged the federal govt to prioritise the security of North East, particularly Borno State, which shares borders with three neighbouring countries—Chad, Cameroon, and the Republic of Niger—as well as security concerns in the Sahel region.
The Minister while clarifying his statement said he stands that security is indeed improving in many parts of the country, but admitted that acts of violence have not been completely eradicated.
He pointed out that the Federal Government in collaboration with security agencies are working round the clock to ensure that the situation in some parts of Borno state and others are brought under control. Idris emphasized the commitment of Tinubu’s administration to eradicating acts of banditry and terrorism across the country which has resulted to successes achieved by the security agencies in the last 18 months, an indication that indeed Nigeria is gradually returning to normalcy.
“The synergy we have seen in the operations of security agencies especially in the last 2 years and the massive investment in hardware and other equipment indicates seriousness of with which the Federal Govt attaches to this issue”.
The Minister called on Nigerians, especially the subnational governments, to join hands to ensure rapid eradication of remaining pockets of criminal elements wherever they may be.