The call for military takeover by some Nigerians is clearly a treasonable call, the minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said.
This is as Mohammed insisted that the government is not overwhelmed by the security challenges facing the country; saying that the country’s military have superior firepower over the rag tag band of Boko Haram and ISWA.
The Minister however said that it is a difficult thing for a democratically-elected government to use the instruments of coercion against its own people.
He spoke in Lagos while addressing the media on the security situation and various calls by Nigerians on the way to resolve the issues.
He said, “It is no longer news that our dear nation is facing security challenges. However, I have read comments saying the Federal Government is overwhelmed and doesn’t have a clue as to how to tackle the challenges. Some have even gone as far as suggesting a truncation of the democratic order, a clearly treasonable stance.
“ Well, I am here today to assure all Nigerians that while the government acknowledges the security challenges we face at this time, from terrorism to kidnaping, banditry and farmer-herder conflict, it is definitely not overwhelmed and indeed it has the wherewithal, as you will see in the days ahead, to confront the challenges headlong and restore law and order, peace and security.
“One of the most difficult things to do, for a democratically-elected government, is to use the instruments of coercion against its own people. For example, while the nation’s military have superior firepower over the rag tag band of Boko Haram and ISWA, the terrorists most often than not operate among the populace, either in our villages or towns, hence the military, in tackling them, is usually careful to avoid collateral damage. The same applies to the kidnappers who abduct our school children. Usually, the location of the kidnappers is not unknown to the security forces, but they still have to exercise caution in order not to hurt the same children they are trying to rescue. Despite these inhibitions, the security forces have the wherewithal to decisively tackle the challenges.”
