Amidst the Insecurity challenges and a massive crack down on criminal elements across the country, the Nigerian government has reiterated that the Sovereignty of the state is non-negotiable.
This position was disclosed by the country’s Information and culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed during an interview with Voice of Nigeria in Abuja over the weekend.
Responding to a question in respect of the non-kinetic approach to criminal elements as well as separatists group, the Minister said the government was already mulling and applying some sort of stick and carrot approach, however, he said the conditions to all that is that the country’s unity and Sovereignty still remain non negotiable.
“Yes, as a government we believe and are also open to the application of a non kinetic approach. Some other issues can be put on the table for discussion but one thing is clear, our Sovereignty is non-negotiable.
There are fundamentals and very basics in whatever we do and non-negotiable stand on our unity and Sovereignty remain basic.”
The Minister said the government was doing enough to crack down on criminal elements, but also urged citizens to be more responsible and take ownership of the fight against insecurity in their own little because it is not a fight for the government alone.
“How do you view a scenario were women are being used to deliver items to bandits in the forest.
Some people are being engage to sell food, fuel and other basic supplies to these criminals in their hide outs. Is that government’s responsibility?
People must be wise and responsible enough to know that this insecurity is a monster that can consume all.”
Alhaji Mohammed said the government was already dealing decisively with criminals regardless of who they are, where they come or operate from.
He said whatever name they are tagged, does not really matter. They are all criminals, and must be smoke out.
Whether foreigners or locals, the government will continue to hit them hard until they are totally subdued.
The Minister debunked the insinuation that the government was treating the criminals differently.
“The truth of the matter is that the Federal Government does not make a distinction between terrorists and bandits.
”As far as the Federal Government is concerned they are all criminals and they are treated the same way.
“For example, if the criminals want to operate, do they select their victims? No. their atrocities have no discrimination and that is how government is dealing with them.
Be it from North West, South West, South East, North Central, South South, North East, they are all against the citizens and the state and the state will hit them hard as well.”
Speaking on the South East, the Minister said the government has been on top of the situation and will continue to record and sustain the success but also urged leaders and people of the region to join the campaign and ongoing operation to rescue their region from the shackles of separatists elements.
The Minister summarily submitted that the new security measures taken in the North West by Governors of that region was yielding positive results.
He mentioned the shutting down of GSM networks, the ban on the operation of markets for second hand motorcycles, the stoppage of some illegal motor parks among others.
Nigeria has been facing insecurity challenges for some time now, but the government has invested heavily in the state security architecture to tackle the problems.
