Attack on security formations, a declaration of war, says FG

By our reporter| The Federal Government on Tuesday said it will soon prosecute 400 suspects arrested for allegedly funding terrorism in the country.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who made the disclosure at a press conference in Lagos, reiterated government’s commitment to tackling the menace of insurgency, banditry, and other security threats across the country.

He said, “The Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has announced that the Federal Government is set to prosecute 400 suspects arrested for allegedly funding terrorism.”

“This is unprecedented and it’s a testament to the government’s determination to decisively tackle terrorism and other violent crimes.”

The Minister who also described the attack on security formations as a declaration of war, appealed to Nigerians to support security agencies, who face the added task of having to watch their backs while working to protect others.

“While the government continues with these efforts to restore peace and security continues, I want to appeal to all of us to play our part in lowering the palpable tension in the polity as a result of the security challenges. The first step is to tone down the rhetoric, he added.

“Now, there is a growing dangerous trend which I will like to comment on. It is the practice of launching deadly attacks against the nation’s security personnel. Soldiers as well as police, customs, and other security agents have been killed and maimed in some parts of the country in this growing trend of targeting security forces.

“I want to say, unequivocally, that any attack on our security men and women is an attack on the state and a declaration of war against the nation. It follows, therefore, that this will be countered with overwhelming force.”

Nigeria has in recent times been experiencing a series of security threats ranging from terrorism, banditry, militancy, cultism among others in several parts of the country.