The National Security Council has assured Nigerians of peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola gave the assurance on Friday while addressing State House Correspondents at the end of a meeting of the Council Chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said: “The message of the Security Council, through you to Nigerians, is that all measures for the safety and security of the Nigerian people and Nigeria are in place for a successful and happy celebration of the yuletide and the New Year. Compliment of the season to all of us from the President and members of the Security Council.
He debunked claims in some quarters that terrorists are planning attacks on the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, adding that the nation’s capital is very safe.
“There isn’t any threat to the safety and security of Abuja. Abuja is secure and very safe. If there was a leak, as you mentioned, it could just be an operational alert that does not require any worry or concern.
“The Council has mandated us to assure Nigerians of their safety, security and enduring peace for the period of the festivities,” he said.
While also speaking to Journalists, Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba said the Police were improving on all measures already in place, to guarantee the safety of all citizens.
“We are trying to improve on what we are doing to ensure there is peace, law and order during the yuletide period and beyond. It is just to improve on what we have; there is always room for improvement in what we are doing,” he said.
On the launching of rockets by terrorists in Maiduguri, Borno State on Friday, the Police Boss said it was a thing of concern but that too would be contained.
“Their launching into major towns, their launch in Maiduguri is a serious concern and it has been seriously checkmated and there are efforts to continuously checkmate it. Yes, it has been done before and it has also been done even after that some of those who must have planned and thrown those rockets have been taken out.
“What they did yesterday, yes they have done it, but to a large extent they have not achieved much of what they intended to achieve because of the situation that the security, particularly the military, put in place.
“There is no sparing of any terrorist and there must be an intelligence gathering, there must be proactive prevention of crime and there must be checkmating of all those that are involved in criminal activities, whether it be terrorism, banditry or armed robbery or whatever and that is what we are trying to do to the best of our knowledge and ability,” Alkali stated.
Friday’s security council meeting, which might be the end of the year, was summoned by the President and Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, to review the security situation in the country as well as proffer lasting solutions.
PIAK
