November 7, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has described a recent security advisory by the United States in Nigeria as unwarranted.
The US had on Friday, November 3, warned its citizens in Nigeria of “elevated threats” to major hotels in the “larger cities” of Nigeria.
Speaking on Monday, during a parley with senior editors and media executives in Abuja, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, said the advisory was likely to create needless panic and undermine efforts by the President Bola Tinubu-led government to attract investments to Nigeria.
Malagi said the federal government is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of all Nigerians and visitors across the country.
“We understand the concerns raised by the United States government in their recent travel advisory, but believe that it is imperative that we do not generalise isolated incidents across the entire hospitality industry.
“What we have seen is that such advisories do not achieve anything other than needless panic, and they can have severe adverse economic impact, not to talk of what they do to undermine the government’s efforts to attract investment.
“We have consistently prioritised the safety and well-being of all visitors to our country. We have implemented comprehensive security measures, both at the Federal and State levels, to ensure the safety of tourists and international guests.
“These measures include intense intelligence gathering, acquisition and deployment of additional platforms, training and re-training of personnel, cooperation with international law enforcement agencies, among others, to maintain a secure environment”, he said, adding that the government would continue to work towards maintaining a secure and hospitable environment for tourists and business travelers and the likes in the country.
The minister also highlighted recent gains made by the military and other security agencies in the fight against terrorism, insurgency and other forms of insecurity in the country.
“Our security agencies have been very busy, doing their best to keep us all safe. In various parts of Kaduna State, seven bandits were neutralised, in various operations between the 1st and 3rd of November.
“In Kano State, on November 3, a joint operation by troops of the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services carried out a dawn raid operation on terrorists’ hideout in Gezawa Local Government Area, successfully averting an imminent attack on Kano by insurgents. The operation recovered AK 47 Rifles, AK 47 Rifle Magazines, a Rocket Propelled Gun (RPG), RPG Bombs, Hand Grenades, Improvised Explosive Device (IED)-making materials, among others.
“In Katsina, two NYSC members abducted by bandits were successfully rescued.
“In the North-East and North-West of the country, the Nigerian Air Force has been very busy, with several successful airstrikes on bandits’ and terrorists’ camps and hideouts in Katsina, Zamfara and Borno States.
“The Air Force has also recently taken delivery of 4 new aircraft, to strengthen the fight against banditry and terrorism.
“In our maritime environment, on October 25, the Eastern and Central Naval Commands flagged off a Joint Sea Exercise, Exercise SEA GUARDIAN 2023″, he said.
Malagi urged Nigerians, particularly the media, to support and amplify efforts of security agencies in the fight against insecurity
He said: “Security agencies deserve the full support of all Nigerians, the media included. Please pay attention to what they’re doing, and give amplified coverage to their successes and gains.
“The bandits, terrorists, kidnappers, pirates etc are waging not only a physical battle but also a psychological one, trying to undermine our faith and confidence in our security agencies.
“As media leaders, we must be very careful to not play into their hands, through reporting that might be misleading or sensational or that undermines the morale of our security personnel.
“While government is taking necessary steps to ensure that honest, credible and timely information is being put out there for the benefit of Nigerians, on the flipside, the government is also requesting you to please report government activities in the most transparent and accountable manner.
“While it is imperative for the government to provide a free and favourable environment for the media to operate, it is also incumbent on the media people to take this role with the highest sense of responsibility. Please report what is accurate and leave what you are in doubt of. It is lesson 001 in journalism that if you are in doubt leave it.
“Don’t report what is not factual. This country is for all of us to build and I know that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a democrat. He is willing and able to provide you with all the information that you so require, let focus on those things that are important for our development as a country and leave out fake news, misinformation and all those that have the tendencies to divide us as a country.”
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