Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that but for the decisive actions of President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s security situation would have been worse and Boko Haram may have declared Islamic State in Nigeria.
The minister, who addressed a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja, said the parley was to make clarity on the recently heightened commentary on the security situation in the country which the government said has been triggered by genuine concerns in some circles, and crass politicking in others.
Mohammed said since assumption of office in 2015, President Buhari has continued to make the issue of security a major plank of his administration’s policy because it is one of the three priority areas of the APC-led Federal Government.
While admitting that the security situation in the country has continued to pose a great challenge, he, however, recalled that the situation was far worse before the current took over in 2015.
“It is easy to forget where we are coming from. Today, we only look at the current situation, without wondering what would have been had this President not taken the bull by the horns, as far as security is concerned.
“With the way the insurgents were going before this Administration came into office, with their control of a vast swath of land the size of Belgium, with their freewheeling attacks in almost a dozen states, including the Federal Capital Territory which was hit at least five times, perhaps they could have achieved their aim of declaring an Islamic State in Nigeria, if President Buhari had not acted decisively.
“After all, in 2014, Boko Haram declared a Caliphate in Gwoza after capturing Bama and Gamboru as well as other towns and villages in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. They installed their own Emirs, collected taxes and flew their flag before the military dislodged them,” Mohammed said.
The minister noted that despite banditry and kidnapping adding to the state of insecurity, he said President Buhari has also continued to provide quality leadership in order to ensure that security agencies decisively tackle the cankerworm of insecurity of any hue.
“No Administration in Nigeria’s recent history has provided the security agencies with the hardware needed to tackle insecurity as that of President Buhari, in addition to raising the morale of our security men and women.
“Only last week, Mr. President commissioned an armada of naval boats and ships in the latest effort to enhance our nation’s maritime security.
“The army, the air force and the police, among others, have also been receiving modern hardware to strengthen their Arsenal,” he said.
“President Buhari has done so much, under very difficult economic and social conditions, to tackle insecurity in our country. Not only has he done so much. President Buhari continues to do much more to keep Nigerians safe. To say he has nothing more to offer is untrue, fallacious and smacks of dirty politicking. “By boosting the number and capacity of our fighting forces, Mr. President
is putting them in good stead to tackle insecurity not just during the life of his Administration but long after he would have left office.
“President Buhari is leaving a legacy of security, infrastructural development, economic prosperity and social cohesion for Nigeria. This may not seem obvious today, amidst daunting challenges, but posterity will be kind to this President.”
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