Worst of insecurity over, Lai Mohammed insists

Says presidential order against terrorists yielding result

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has reassured Nigerians that the worst of insecurity in the country is over. He hinted that although there might still be pockets of attacks nationwide, he ßpointed out that the situation can never be worse.

He made the submission at a joint press briefing with three other heads of ministries, including Ministers of Defence, Bashir Magashi; Police, Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi and Interior, Rauf Aregbesola.
  
Also at the briefing were Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor and chief executives of agencies under the Ministry of Interior.
  
The purpose of the forum, Mohammed stated, was to inform Nigerians on the security situation in the country. He noted that while the most populous black nation might not be there yet, the military and other security agencies, nevertheless, have succeeded substantially in containing insecurity.
   
The minister said: “As far as the daunting security challenges we face are concerned, 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.”He stated that government remained committed to ensuring that no one isin the captivity of bandits.

The minister urged anyone with useful information about kidnapped persons to report to relevant authorities.
 
While charging the media to also give as much prominence to the security agencies as is given to bandits and terrorists whenever they attack, Mohammed, however, failed to respond to a question on why it took the President’s recent directive for security agencies to rise to their responsibilities of securing citizens.

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.”
In his presentation, Magashi noted that even 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.

Also speaking, Aregbesola maintained that his ministry had fulfilled its mandate of maintaining internal security through its four agencies and contributed to economic development by facilitating entry, operations and establishment of foreigners and foreign firms to do business in Nigeria.