By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Federal Government has called on Nigerians, the media, civil society organisations, and security agencies to strengthen collaboration in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism threatening the nation’s peace and security.
Speaking at a National Press Briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stressed that defeating terrorism requires a united national response that transcends political, ethnic, religious, and regional differences.
According to the Minister, the Federal Government’s national campaign, #UniteAgainstTerror, is founded on the belief that terrorism affects all Nigerians regardless of background.
“An attack against one Nigerian is an attack against all Nigerians. Terrorism has no tribe, no religion, and no political affiliation. Its only purpose is destruction,” he said.
Idris reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to securing the release of schoolchildren and teachers recently abducted in separate attacks in Oyo and Borno states. He assured Nigerians that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed security agencies to deploy all necessary resources to ensure the safe return of the victims.
“I wish to assure all Nigerians that the safe return of every child and every teacher currently in captivity remains a top national priority. The President has made it clear that no child belongs in captivity and that no effort will be spared in ensuring that those responsible for these heinous crimes are brought to justice,” the Minister stated.
He disclosed that security agencies have intensified intelligence gathering, surveillance operations, and coordinated rescue efforts under the direct instruction of the President.
Highlighting recent security gains, Idris noted that troops under Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East have continued to neutralise terrorists, rescue civilians, and destroy terrorist infrastructure. He revealed that more than 50 terrorists were recently eliminated during follow-up operations in Borno State, while several high-value targets have been neutralised through coordinated military actions.
The Minister added that security operations across the North-West, North-Central, South-East, and South-South regions have resulted in the dismantling of criminal camps, disruption of kidnapping syndicates, and enhanced protection of critical national assets.
According to him, Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts are yielding stronger results due to improved inter-agency collaboration, intelligence sharing, enhanced surveillance capabilities, and stronger international partnerships.
“What distinguishes our current approach is the combination of military pressure, intelligence-led operations, technology, regional cooperation, and community engagement. This comprehensive strategy is steadily degrading the operational capacity of terrorist and criminal groups,” he said.
The Minister also highlighted significant judicial successes, including recent convictions secured against perpetrators of the June 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, where scores of worshippers were killed.
He further disclosed that the Federal Government has commenced one of the largest terrorism prosecution exercises in the country’s history, with hundreds of terrorism suspects currently facing trial under Nigeria’s counter-terrorism legal framework.
“Justice is an essential pillar of national security. Beyond military operations, the government is ensuring that those involved in acts of terrorism face the full weight of the law. The ongoing terrorism trials and recent convictions send a clear message that impunity will not prevail,” he said.
Idris also appealed to the media to exercise professionalism and restraint in reporting terrorism-related incidents, warning that terrorists often seek publicity and psychological impact through their actions.
“While the media must continue to report accurately and responsibly, we must be careful not to inadvertently amplify the objectives of terrorists. Responsible journalism can help deny them the publicity they seek while keeping citizens properly informed,” he noted.
The Minister urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, support security agencies with credible information, and reject narratives aimed at dividing communities along ethnic, religious, or political lines.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s resolve to protect lives and property, he assured citizens that ongoing security operations would continue until terrorism and violent criminality are decisively defeated.
“Nigeria has faced difficult moments before and emerged stronger. We shall overcome this challenge as well. United in purpose and unwavering in resolve, we will ensure that terrorism has no future in Nigeria,” he said.
The briefing was attended by several senior government officials and security representatives, including Dr. Binyerem C. Ukaire, permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation; DCP Anthony Okon Placid, Force Public Relations Officer representing the Inspector-General of the Nigerian; Maj-Gen. Samaila Uba, Director of Defense Information, Armed Forces of Nigeria, and Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications.
Others were Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Print Media; Fredrick Nwabufo, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement; and Tunde Rahman, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Special Duties.
The gathering brought together key stakeholders from government, the security sector and the media as part of efforts to strengthen national collaboration against terrorism and violent extremism under the #UniteAgainstTerror campaign.
