FG to security forces: Crush all threats

Insurgents plant landmines on farms – Army 

By Musa Umar Bologi
Abuja

Disturbed by the increasing trend in various upheavals within the country, the Federal Government yesterday issued a stern order to all security agencies  to crush and deter all crises which have the potential to breach the peace and national stability.Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali, gave the order yesterday in Abuja at a seminar on “Media Management in Crisis Situation” for information officers of the military, security and response agencies,  organised by the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) with support from the Defence Headquarters and the Nigeria Stability and
Reconciliation Programme.

Declaring the occasion open, he said: “All security agencies in Nigeria have been called upon to crush and deter the threats of crisis and conflicts that have potential to disrupt peace and security of our country.
“Our security and response agencies are constantly engaged in the essential tasks required for meeting the internal security objectives of ensuring safety and security of Nigeria’s territorial integrity, its population and all the critical infrastructures. Our government will not relent in this primary objective.”

He  said government would continue to acknowledge the sustained efforts of the various military, security and response agencies, who, in spite of all odds, were constantly and significantly mitigating the challenges and consequences of violent eruptions and crises across the country.
Dan-Ali further pledged continued support for all the agencies, particularly those battling insurgency in the North-east so that they can effectively deliver on their mandate.

While  restating that government’s first priority is to ensure the security of lives and property of the citizenry, the minister said all socio-economic activities in the country must continue to thrive without let or hindrance from criminal elements and terrorists.
On crisis management, he tasked information officers of the various agencies to be patriotic and professional in the discharge of their duties.
“You must bear in mind that our dear country is currently confronted with several challenges which demand every sense of professionalism in the way and manner information is to be managed.
“You have the responsibility to manage sensitive information at your disposal with all sense of patriotism and to relate with media and the general public with utmost sense of professionalism taking into cognizance the importance of our cherished national interest and national security”, he further charged  participants.
The minister who commended the CCC for its contribution to national security, also charged other organisations to emulate such laudable initiative.

In his welcome remarks, Executive Secretary of the CCC, Air Com. Yusuf Anas (rtd), said the workshop  was designed to assist information officers to effectively and efficiently engage the media to communicate responsibly with the public.
He added that the media influence in contemporary scheme of human endeavour, cannot be downplayed, hence the need to develop an efficient and effective cadre of Public Relations personnel to manage communication in crisis situation.
The seminar, Anas explained, would also encourage synergy among security and response agencies through harmonisation of information.
He recalled that prior to the establishment of the Forum of Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies FOSRA, the forbearer of CCC, there used to be conflicting information from the various agencies during crisis situations, stressing however that there was still an urgent need to enhance greater communication with the public.

In his goodwill message, Programme Manager of NSRP, Dr Ukoha Ukiwo said the NSRP  currently works in eight target states on conflict mitigation, especially reducing its effect on the vulnerable segment of the population.
While congratulating the CCC for being able to host the seminar in spite of several challenges, Ukiwo  assured that the programme  would be replicated  in the North-east and South-south zones of the country.
In a related development, the Nigerian Army has alerted  members of the public that the  fleeing insurgents in the North-east have now  devised a new tactic  of laying landmines on stretches of farm lands, as another strategy to unleash terror on  people of the area.
A statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Rabe Abubakar, said, “the  insurgents now operate with horses to carry out attacks on isolated villages and communities along fringes of our borders in the North East.”

He said: “These latest tactics of the terrorists is a grand design to cause fear and panic among the farmers as well as the local populace. The security forces will continue to be on their trail until they are completely flushed out of our country.
“While the military and other security forces are doing everything possible to neutralise these mine threats, individuals and citizens are advised to be mindful of strange and suspicious objects in their farmlands and localities as well as be wary of those coming on horses as they can be terrorists and to report same to the security forces for prompt action.”