The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to confronting terrorism and other security threats across the country, saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has placed all security agencies on the highest level of alert.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance on Wednesday during a press briefing at Radio House, Abuja, where he provided updates on recent security breaches and the government's response.
Idris conveyed President Tinubu’s sympathies to families affected by recent violent incidents, including the killing of a senior Army General, the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State, and an attack on a church in Kwara State. He described the events as painful reminders of the threats facing the country but insisted they would only strengthen the government’s resolve to defeat terrorism.
He announced that President Tinubu had postponed his international engagements, including participation at the G20 meeting in South Africa, to focus on pressing security issues at home.
According to the Minister, the President also directed the deployment of additional military and police personnel to Eruku and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State following the attack on a local church.
He added that Vice President Kashim Shettima was in Birnin Kebbi on the President’s directive to meet with Governor Nasir Idris, security chiefs, traditional rulers, and the families of the abducted students. Members of the VP’s delegation include the National Chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda; the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro; the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; and the Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar.
Idris noted that security agencies had been mandated to intensify operations aimed at eliminating terrorists and criminal elements, as well as ensuring the safe return of the abducted schoolgirls.
Addressing public commentary portraying insecurity as a religiously motivated crisis, the Minister dismissed such claims as inaccurate and dangerously divisive. He stressed that Nigeria's security challenges affect citizens across all religious and ethnic divides and should not be framed along sectarian lines.
“Nigeria is a multi-faith nation where freedom of worship is constitutionally guaranteed,” Idris said, urging citizens to reject misinformation and narratives capable of stoking division.
He emphasized that the Federal Government was deploying all available resources to restore peace and protect lives and property across the country, expressing optimism that the abducted Kebbi students would be rescued soon.
