Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has said that the Federal Government won’t be stampeded by the terror advisories released by the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom.
According to him, Nigeria will not be stampeded by whatever any 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 chaired by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Mohammed declared that the US acted within her rights to advise her citizens to go home but Nigeria won’t 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.
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 the 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.
He added: “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?
“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 the 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, and 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 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.”
On whether the 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.
He added: “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?
