FG Commits To Rescue Of Abducted Victims, Urges Unity Against Terrorism

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to securing the release of all abducted schoolchildren and teachers across the country, describing their rescue as a top national priority.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation Alhaji Mohammed Idris gave the assurance during a ministerial press briefing on national security and the fight against terrorism in Abuja.

Alhaji Idris, said the recent attacks on schools and communities in parts of the country, including Borno State, were not only attacks on innocent citizens but also assaults on Nigeria’s future, education system, and national unity.

He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed all relevant security and intelligence agencies to deploy every lawful resource available to ensure the safe rescue of victims and the arrest of those responsible for the attacks.

According to him, the President has also approved the recruitment of 1,000 Forest Guards to strengthen the security presence in vulnerable communities and forest areas.

The minister disclosed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the National Counter Terrorism Centre, and other security institutions are working in close coordination through intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance, community engagement, and rescue operations.

He noted that the Tinubu administration has adopted a comprehensive intelligence-led approach to security, complemented by reforms aimed at strengthening the nation’s security architecture, including ongoing efforts to advance state policing.

According to him, troops of Operation Hadin Kai have sustained pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in the North-East, while joint military operations in the North-West and North-Central zones have led to the dismantling of several bandit camps and the arrest of criminal suspects.

According to him, similar operations in the South-East and South-South have targeted violent criminal groups, oil thieves, and economic saboteurs.

The minister also noted that improved maritime security operations have contributed to a significant reduction in crude oil theft and increased oil production, while recent terrorism-related convictions by the Federal High Court demonstrates the government’s determination to confront terrorism through both military action and the rule of law.

The Minister urged media organisations to report security issues responsibly by verifying information and avoiding sensationalism that could inadvertently promote the objectives of terrorist groups. He noted that terrorists often seek publicity and division, and called for professionalism in reporting matters of national security.

He also appealed to Nigerians, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation, to support security agencies by providing credible information and remaining vigilant within their communities.

Addressing families whose loved ones remain in captivity, Idris conveyed President Tinubu’s assurance that the government has not forgotten them and that every available security and intelligence resource is being deployed to secure the victims’ release.

He expressed confidence that Nigeria would overcome its current security challenges, stressing that peace, security, and national unity are essential for the country’s democratic and economic development.

Speaking during the interactive session, representatives of various security agencies reiterated that the fight against terrorism requires a coordinated whole-of-society approach involving government institutions, security agencies, the media, community leaders, and citizens.

The representative of the Defence Information Directorate, Major General Samaila Uba stated that the military and other security agencies have intensified efforts to secure schools, remote communities, and other vulnerable locations, adding that operations are being continuously reviewed to respond effectively to emerging threats.

Also Zakari Mijiyawa from the Office of the National Security Adviser, representative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Nigeria Police Force emphasized the importance of intelligence sharing, inter-agency collaboration, and public cooperation in addressing security challenges across the country.

The security agencies assured Nigerians that all available national resources have been mobilised to ensure the safe rescue of every child and teacher currently in captivity.

They stressed that ongoing operations have continued to put terrorist groups under pressure, forcing many of them to abandon their strongholds and limiting their operational capacity.

The agencies further assured the public that terrorists and other criminal elements would continue to be pursued relentlessly and brought to justice, while efforts to protect lives and property remain a central priority of government.

The briefing ended with a renewed call for national solidarity under the theme, “Unite Against Terror,” with government and security officials emphasizing that terrorism has no ethnic, religious, or political identity and must be confronted collectively by all Nigerians.

Florence Adewale, Edited By Grace Namiji