Minister refutes dismissing Borno’s security concerns

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Office of the Minister of Information and National Orientation has refuted reports by an online publication claiming that Minister Mohammed Idris dismissed security concerns raised by Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara.

In a statement on Thursday, April 10, by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, Idris clarified that while the Federal Government has made notable progress in enhancing peace and security nationwide, some regions, including Borno, continue to face security challenges.

The Minister acknowledged the ongoing efforts of the military and other security agencies, alongside sustained investments in security infrastructure.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Tinubu’s administration to eliminating terrorism and banditry across the country.

The statement partly reads, “The Office of the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation has noted a misleading caption by an online publication suggesting that the Honourable Minister, Mohammed Idris, (fnipr), dismissed the recent concerns raised by the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, regarding the security situation in the state.

“This is categorically false and a gross distortion of the Minister’s remarks. At no time did the Honourable Minister say ‘Ignore Zulum, Boko Haram is not taking over Borno’. Such a headline is not only sensational but deliberately crafted as a deliberate act of misinformation to stoke public misunderstanding and distract from the serious work the Federal Government is doing to address security challenges.

“In his response to media inquiries on Governor Zulum’s remarks, the Honourable Minister acknowledged that while the Federal Government has made significant progress in restoring peace and security across many parts of the country, some areas continue to face security challenges.

“He emphasised the ongoing efforts by the military and security forces, the sustained investments in security hardware and intelligence, and the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism and banditry under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).”