•Urges media not to fall prey
By Tobias Lengnan Dapam
The federal government has said that bandits, terrorists, kidnappers, pirates and other criminal elements are waging not only a physical battle but also a psychological one, trying to undermine “our faith and confidence in our security agencies”.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris stated this on Monday in Abuja, while addressing editors on the renewed hope agenda of the President Bola Tinubu.
“As media leaders, we must be very careful to not play into their hands, through reporting that might be misleading or sensational or that undermines the morale of our security personnel.”
He said the government is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of all Nigerians and visitors, saying it will continue to work towards maintaining a secure and hospitable environment for tourists and business travelers and the likes.
“Our security agencies have been very busy, doing their best to keep us all safe. I will highlight just a few of those successes in recent days
“In various parts of Kaduna State, seven bandits were neutralized, in various operations between the 1st and 3rd of November. In Kano State, on November 3, a joint operation by troops of the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services carried out a dawn raid operation on terrorists’ hideout in Gezawa Local Government Area, successfully averting an imminent attack on Kano by insurgents. The operation recovered AK 47 Rifles, AK 47 Rifle Magazines, a Rocket Propelled Gun (RPG), RPG Bombs, Hand Grenades, Improvised Explosive Device (IED)-making materials, among others.
“In Katsina, two NYSC members abducted by bandits were successfully rescued.
“In the North-East and North-West of the country, the Nigerian Air Force has been very busy, with several successful airstrikes on bandits’ and terrorists’ camps and hideouts in Katsina, Zamfara and Borno States.
“The Air Force has also recently taken delivery of 4 new aircraft, to strengthen the fight against banditry and terrorism.
“In our maritime environment, on October 25, the Eastern and Central Naval Commands flagged off a Joint Sea Exercise, Exercise”
