•••SAYS NIGERIA STILL SAFE
The Federal Government has responded to the recent travel advisory from the United State Department, asking its citizens to reconsider traveling to Nigeria due to high risk of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and maritime crimes.
The Government described it as an attempt to embarrass government, and its security agencies.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, while answering questions on the US security reports about Nigeria, on Wednesday, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said Nigeria cannot be stampeded by what any government instructs its citizens to do in response to the most recent travel advisory from the United State Department.
Lai Mohammed, said despite the alleged attempts by terrorists to embarrass government, and the security agencies, that the government had in the last few months taken firm control of the situation.
Mohammed reiterated his previous assurances that citizens and non-citizens in Nigeria are safe in the country.
“Now, of course, this so called travel advisory as far as we’re concerned, as a government we have in the last few months, taken a firm handle of security.
“What I said is that click baiting, which is, you find a story which is not verified and you immediately share it, always causes panic.
“But I want to reassure both citizens, non-Nigerians, Nigerians living in this country, that security agencies are on top of this matter.
“Of course, the terrorists would not stop to try to embarrass or intimidate government but what I’m saying is that this country is safe. And there’s no cause for alarm. No cause to panic.
“Unfortunately, because of that travel advisory on Sunday many schools were closed, shops were closed, travel plans were disrupted, we don’t need it.
“The security – our soldiers, our police are working round the clock to contain any terrorist attack.This is where we stand.” He stated.
He said the travel advisory specifically mentioned vulnerable states that Americans must not travel to; affirming that it was not strange as even Nigeria Mission in the US can advise Nigerians on their movement in the country.
“I read it (advisory) that those on non emergency should live Nigeria. You see, just like if Nigeria Mission in the US also sends a travel advisory and warning in Houston and say, look, don’t go, don’t take your children to school, because there could be mass shooting tomorrow.
” I mean, it is within their rights to say that their people should go home if they want to. But we as a country, have a responsibility to keep our country safe,and we’re not going to be, you know, stampeded at all by whatever any government decides to tell his people.”
The Minister advised citizens to desist from spreading unverified news adding that government was not worried by the perception the advisory could create with the investors and stressing that the government had taken steps to prevent it,
Lai Mohammed said the US has not been able to predict about school shootings in the United States of America.
“The concrete step is that people should stop spreading unverified news that is what saying. You see, look how many school shootings happen in the US?
” How many senseless killings happened in the US?
“So have they been able to predict what’s going to happen next, or which school is going to be a victim next?
Do Nigerians in the US also feel safe? I think you should stop demarketing your home country. Every country has its security challenges. We have ours and we are facing them. Which side are you, American side?” He queried reporters.
