Don’t polticise insecurity, Borno Senator tackles Minister

Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan (APC Borno Central) has asked the Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, to face his job of projecting a good image of Nigeria, but not to politicise insecurity. On Tuesday, Governor Babagana Zulum had during an Expanded Security Council Meeting drawn the attention of the federal government to happenings in the […]

Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan (APC Borno Central) has asked the Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, to face his job of projecting a good image of Nigeria, but not to politicise insecurity.

On Tuesday, Governor Babagana Zulum had during an Expanded Security Council Meeting drawn the attention of the federal government to happenings in the state, saying Borno “seems to be losing ground to Boko Haram insurgents”.

He cited the dislodgement of military formations and other actions of non-state actors in recent times.

But in a statement, on Wednesday, Minister Idris disagreed with Zulum’s claim, emphasising that the administration remains committed to combating terrorism and banditry across the nation.

He also argued that the security agencies were working round-the-clock to bring the situation in parts of Borno under control.

However, the Senator, in a statement he made available to journalists on Thursday, advised Idris to emulate the good works of his predecessors.

“Emulate from the likes of Lai Mohammed, Labaran Maku, Jerry Gana, Uche Chukwumerije, Walter Ofonagoro, Chukwu Emeka Chikelu and John Nwodo (Jnr). among others who had focused on their co-mandates by projecting good image of the Federal Government.

“Instead of promoting the policies and programmes of the present administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I was shocked that the Minister chose to politicize the lingering insecurity and Boko Haram crisis that is bedeviling the people of Borno and the North East sub-region,” said Shehu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

“The utterances of the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris to His Excellency, the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum over the recent security council meeting held with members of the security council and traditional rulers including the Shehu of Borno, HRH, Dr. Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi in attendance is very unfortunate and disrespectful.

“It is also uncalled for the Minister who seats in Abuja to respond to the Chief Security Officer of Borno State who has been receiving first-hand information and security briefings from security agencies as well as traditional rulers.

“More so, His Excellency the Governor has been trying his best in complementing efforts of the federal government since 2019 to date in the fight against insurgency, kidnapping and other criminalities in the state.

” Just last month, Borno State Governor, Professor Zulum distributed another 110 brand new operational vehicles, 500 motorcycles and 280 houses to the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.

“The distribution which was one of the many series was flagged off by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who commended the initiative and described Zulum as a PERFORMING GOVERNOR in the fight against insecurity in the North East.

“It is disheartening to note that instead of the Minister to focus on his co-mandate of projecting the federal government in good light, he is involving himself in trivial matters with a view to gain cheap popularity.

“In case the Minister didn’t know, President Tinubu and almost all the Service Chiefs had at various occasions commended governor Zulum at the sub-national level in handling the security situation which has led to resettlement of millions of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) back to their ancestral homes with dignity, as well as thousands of Boko Haram terrorists surrendered to troops.

“I challenge the Minister to come down to Maiduguri, the Borno state capital and engage with troops on frontline, Governor Zulum and other security stakeholders, before making any statement.

“It is also funny that the Minister has not for once sympathise with the government and people of Borno state following Boko Haram attacks and killings in the region.

“The federal government under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has carried out many developmental projects and policies for over 20 months, unfortunately we have not seen or read it anywhere because of the insensitivity of the Information Minister. He should therefore exercise restraint on further attack (s) on Borno State Government.

“This is because, as Senator Representing Borno Central, and a former member of Borno Security Council, we are very much in constant touch with Governor Zulum and other security agencies. While pledging our unflinching support and loyalty to the federal government, Ministers like Mohammed Idris should be weary of unverified information or statement issued on behalf of the federal government.”