Lai Mohammed Rejects Security Alert By U.K, U.S, Says Alerts Unverified

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has expressed dissatisfaction over the security alert announced by some foreign embassies in the country including the United States and the United Kingdom. 

He described the security alert as unverified while condemning the announcement.

The Minister made his reaction known on Tuesday in Abuja at a ministerial panel of the ongoing UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Week.

Mohammed further denied the stand by the foreign embassies, adding that the security situation as announced could cause unnecessary tension among people. 

As reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Minister said: “Some media outlets and social media personalities are usually caught spreading unverified information on their platforms just for clickbait and the attendant monetary gain.

“Talking of clickbait, this may be what informed the spread of the supposed security alert issued recently by some foreign embassies in Nigeria.

“One would imagine that if indeed this kind of security alert was issued, it was for the attention of citizens of the issuing countries in Nigeria.

“Suddenly, this alert found its way into the media, both new and traditional, thus creating panic in the polity.

“Schools were shut. Businesses were closed. Travel plans were altered. Lives were disrupted. No one cared to find out about the authenticity of these alerts.

“They just published, got the benefit of massive clickbait and damned the consequences."

He further stated that the country was safer than before.

He also reiterated the commitment of the security agencies in the country to rid the country of terrorist activities.

He said the country “is safer today than at any time in recent times.

“We do not discountenance the fact that terrorists, bandits and their kind would always want to do whatever it takes to disrupt our nation’s peace, security and stability.

“Well, I can assure all that our military and other security agencies have continued to do everything possible to secure and protect Nigerians and foreigners living in Nigeria.

“Terrorists have been hard hit and put on the run. Bandits have been decimated and scattered,’’ he added.

He further urged Nigerians to remain calm while cautious of their environment.