*Urges Nigerians to stop liking, sharing materials that can incite panic
*Says even Nigeria Mission in US can advise citizens on movement there
Just as some Nigerians are already angry with the inglorious role United States of America and United Kingdom have now clearly played making their respective panic alert they called security advisories on “imminent” terrorist attacks on Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, the country’s Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that the Federal Government will not be stampeded by the terror advisories released by the governments of both foreign countries.
According to Alhaji Mohammed, Nigeria will not be stampeded by whatever any foreign government decides to tell its people living in Abuja and parts of the country.
He made this known on Wednesday during a briefing after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN).
The Minister declared that the US acted within her rights to advise her citizens to go home but Nigeria will not be stampeded by such warning or action.
He underscored that the government has in the last few months taken a firm handle of security, urging citizens to avoid liking or sharing materials that could incite panic.
He said: “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 cause 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.”
Reminded that the travel advisory specifically mentioned vulnerable states that Americans must not travel to, the government spokesman affirmed that it is not strange as even Nigeria Mission in the US can advise Nigerians on their movement in the country.
He added: “I read it that it said that 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.”
On whether government is worried by the perception the advisory can create with investors and steps that might be taken to prevent it, Mohammed advised citizens to desist from spreading unverified news.
According to him, “The concrete step is that people should stop spreading all verified 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 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?”
The US and Britain had on Sunday warned of possible terror attacks in Abuja, especially at government buildings, places of worship, schools and other centres where large crowds gather.
The US further urged its citizens and Embassy staff in Nigeria’s political capital to leave but the Department of States Services urged residents of Abuja and Nigerians in general to remain calm, saying security agencies are right on top of the situation.
But some Nigerians, while pledging their unalloyed loyalty to their country, Nigeria, and unflinching solidarity support to the armed forces and security and intelligence agencies in the country, have continued to insist on Nigerian authorities watching the “so called” US advisory, in particular, very well as they say it is suspicious coming at a time the country is enjoying relative peace from terrorism disturbances.
