The Federal Government says President Bola Tinubu’s administration is adopting far-reaching strategies to combat terrorism in Nigeria through a blend of military operations, socio-economic reforms, and regional partnerships.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, stated this on Wednesday during a news conference hosted by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, in Abuja.
Alake explained that the current administration inherited longstanding security challenges but has taken decisive actions to address them.
“The insecurity in Nigeria did not start under President Tinubu or even two years ago,” he said. “From the range of actions taken so far, if such steps had been implemented ten years ago, we probably wouldn’t be where we are today.”
He cited the government’s continuous restructuring of the security architecture including changes in military leadership in 2023 and recently as part of efforts to inject renewed energy and strategy into the fight against terrorism and banditry.
“These are policies and actions emanating from deep, exhaustive planning and strategising, and they are yielding results,” Alake noted.
Comparing the last two years to the preceding decade, the minister said there had been “tremendous efforts” and measurable progress in curbing insecurity nationwide.
He dismissed claims that terrorist attacks in Nigeria were religiously motivated, stating that most incidents were driven by political or economic interests.
“When terrorists attack, it’s rarely based on religion,” Alake explained. “Sometimes, these communities happen to be populated by people of a particular faith, but to interpret that as religious persecution is misleading and does not reflect the reality on ground.”
Alake urged the media to be responsible in their reporting, warning against narratives that distort facts or undermine national unity.
He appealed to journalists to highlight the successes of the armed forces and security agencies in their ongoing operations across the country.
