Nigeria Information Minister Says Attacks on Security Personnel ‘Declaration of War’

 

The Nigerian government has said attacks by gunmen on security personnel is an attack on the state and a declaration of war against the nation.

Lai Mohammed, the country’s minister of information and culture, at a press conference on Tuesday, warned that criminals terrorising the country will pay for their actions.

Mr Mohammed in his address said the country’s security personnel have been subjected to “mindless” attacks by gunmen to instil fear and create a sense of insecurity.

“I want to say, unequivocally, that any attack on our security men and women is an attack on the state and a declaration of war against the nation,” he said.

“It follows, therefore, that this will be countered with overwhelming force. When those whose responsibility it is to protect us are themselves being subjected to mindless attacks, it can only be for one reason only; To instil fear and evoke a sense of pervasive insecurity among the people.

“Whether known or unknown gunmen, those engaged in this dastardly act will pay dearly for their actions.”

The minister said there is an “urgent need for political restructuring and not separation” saying that the federal government is working on a 10-point agenda to tackle the country’s security challenges.

Some of the agenda Mr Mohammed said the federal government is working on include, “the judiciary be decentralised and reformed through constitutional amendment to remove the unitary control of the superior courts.

“That governments at all levels should ensure free, qualitative and compulsory primary education for all children of school age.”