The federal government says it will not be “stampeded” over the recent travel advisory by the United States (US) warning of possible terror attacks in Nigeria.
In an update to a recent travel advisory, the US had authorised the evacuation of “non-emergency” employees and their family members in Nigeria “due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks”.
The development came amid the “call for calm” by the Department of State Services (DSS) and a review of security strategy by the police.
Speaking with journalists on Wednesday at the presidential villa in Abuja, Lai Mohammed, minister of information, said there is no cause for alarm, as security agencies are working to keep the country safe.
“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,” he said.
“What I said is that clickbaiting, 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.
“I read it that those on non-emergency should leave Nigeria. You see, [it’s] just like if Nigeria mission in the US also sends a travel advisory and warning in Houston and says ‘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 concrete step is that people should stop spreading unverified news. 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; 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?”
