The federal government has frowned at the recent security alert issued without proof by United States and United Kingdom embassies in Nigeria.
As reported by POLITICS NIGERIA, while speaking at the ongoing UNESCO media and information literacy week in Abuja, the minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed condemned the act and blamed media outlets and social media personalities for spreading the security alert without verifying the authenticity and consequences.
During his presentation as a panelist in the UNESCO session, the minister of information and culture said:
“Some media outlets and social media personalities are usually caught spreading unverified information on their platforms just for click bait and the attendant monetary gain.”
“Talking of click bait, 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 click bait and damned the consequences.”
Lai Mohammed assured Nigerians that all security agencies are working proactively to protect and secure the country, therefore, there should be no cause for alarm.
“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 said.
The minister noted that, “the country is safer today than at any time in recent times.”
