In this report, the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris fnipr, expresses deep concern and disappointment regarding a statement made by the Zamfara State Governor, Dr. Dauda Lawal. The Minister highlights that rather than acknowledging the efforts of security agents and Federal Government institutions in rescuing abducted students of the Federal University Gusau, the Governor chose to politicize the matter for personal gain.
The Minister emphasizes that Federal Government institutions have a legal mandate to take prompt action to ensure the safe return of citizens taken hostage, as seen in the case of the abducted students. He refutes claims that such operations are conducted secretly and asserts that they are not surreptitious, as described by the Zamfara State Government.
Furthermore, the Minister clarifies that no official of the Federal Government is involved in negotiating with bandits. However, the government remains committed to exploring peaceful avenues to de-escalate tensions and restore peace to communities affected by banditry.
The Minister urges against injecting political differences or personal conflicts into national security matters, as this could demoralize security forces and disrupt government efforts. He reiterates the government’s willingness to engage with all stakeholders nationwide to find lasting solutions to security challenges, emphasizing the need for collective action.
This information was conveyed in a statement issued to journalists by Suleiman Haruna, the Deputy Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation. A copy of the statement was provided to THE SPECTACLES on Monday.
The statement partly reads;
“The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris fnipr, notes with alarm and disappointment a statement credited to the Zamfara State Governor, Dr. Dauda Lawal, which rather than appreciate security agents and Federal Government institutions for the prompt effort to rescue the abducted students of the Federal University Gusau, chose to play politics with the sensitive matter for cheap political goals.
The Minister observes that Federal Government institutions are empowered by law to spring to action, with or without prompting, to ensure safe return of citizens illegally taken hostage, like in the case of these hapless students. The fact that details of such delicate operations are not revealed by the institutions responsible does not make it in any way surreptitious, as the Zamfara State Government atrociously described this effort.
The Minister states, for the avoidance of doubt, that no official of the Federal Government is engaged in negotiation with any bandit or group of bandits. The government, however, maintains its resolve to explore every available avenue that can lead to de-escalation of tension and bring back peace to communities ravaged by banditry. However, if communities decide to borrow a leaf from what has helped quench unrest in other parts of the country to engage themselves in dialogue, the Federal Government would not be in a haste to condemn such people-driven initiative.
The Minister assures Nigerians that the Federal Government and its institutions are working assiduously to turn around the current situation and bring an end to the ebbing cases of banditry, kidnapping and all forms of criminality. Political differences or personal fight with anybody should not be brought into the serious matter of national security to avoid demoralising our troops or and derailing government’s effort.
Finally, the Minister maintains that the Federal Government is willing to listen and continue its ongoing engagement with all stakeholders across the country in working out a lasting solution to our security problems. We urge all to put hands on deck with us”.
