The Federal Government, on Wednesday, described the attack
on the convoy of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 12
headquartered in Bauchi, Audu Madaki, as an attempt by terrorists to score “a
psychological point”.
Responding to a question on what the attack means for the
FG, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed told State House
Correspondents that “the government is taking the job of security very
seriously.”
The suspected terrorists attacked the convoy of the
Assistant Inspector General of Police, injuring him and killing his orderly.
Madaki was said to be on his way to Abuja from Bauchi when
the terrorists ambushed and attacked him between Barde and Jagindi area in
Kaduna State at about 02:30 pm, Tuesday.
Although the AIG Madaki survived with gunshot injuries, his
orderly was shot dead.
Speaking on the attack, Mohammed said “On the issue of the
attack on the AIG in Bauchi, I need further information from the IG as to the
circumstances of the attack. But what I know is that bandits would always want
to make this kind of spectacular attack just to score a psychological point.
“But I know that the government is taking the job of
security very seriously. As you can see, even today, the Honorable Minister of
the FCT has told you exactly what he is doing to ensure that security is
improved.
“Over the last couple of days, I’ve seen that the FCT police
command has also given out telephone numbers to call in case of any security
breach or information.”
Mohammed claimed that the success of the military has not
received as wide reportage as the terrorist attacks.
“I know that there have been quite a few successes by the
military in overrunning the bandits around Abuja in the last couple of days.
“Regrettably, it’s
like when the military is having the upper hand, they are not given the same
kind of media coverage as when the bandits attack,” he said.
On concerns raised by some civil society organisations that
the worsening insecurity may hinder next year’s elections, the information
minister assured Nigerians that there would be elections.
He said, “There will be an election. I can assure you. The
President has said that he has given the security all the needed support. The
Service Chiefs are doing their best and will continue to do their best.”
Meanwhile, the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, has
justified the halting of rail services nationwide.
He said the imminent security threats necessitated the move
as it would be inappropriate to endanger lives.
The Nigeria Railway Corporation has suspended the Lagos-Kano
and Ajaokuta train services over terror fears.
It also suspended services at the Ajaokuta station along
Warri-Itakpe route because of the attack on some passengers by gunmen on
Monday.
Justifying the move, Sambo told State House Correspondents
that it is better to suspend the services than subject Nigerians to terror
threats.
“I would like to state clearly that it is better to suspend
a service where there is an imminent threat, and clear the threat first. Or
where an incident had occurred and to investigate that incident, rather than
jeopardise the life of a single Nigerian.
“So if there’s any suspension of rail services as of this
morning, which is yet to be officially reported to me, because I had to come to
Council very early this morning. As soon as I go back to the office, I will
find out why. But Nigerians will rest assured that it is better to suspend the
service than subject Nigerians to any threat to their lives,” he stated.
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