The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Tuesday claimed that the President Bola Tinubu administration was doing a great job in containing the insecurity in the country.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Tunji-Ojo asserted that the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, were losing sleep over the issue.
The Minister said: “Nobody is resting. Not the NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, not the Minister of Defence, not the Chief of Defence Staff, not the DSS.
“Nobody is sleeping, we are working. This security issue is a major issue of national concern and I will not sit here and refuse to take responsibility for the security of Nigerians on behalf of the President.”
However, Tunji-Ojo’s claim is at variance with the reports of terrorist attacks and kidnapping incidents in the country, especially with the coming of the new terrorist group known as Larukawa, operating in Sokoto and Kebbi states.
The Director of Media Operations, at the Defense Headquarters, Maj-Gen Edward Buba, had said the terrorists began incursion into the states from the Niger Republic and Mali axis, particularly after the coup in the Niger Republic
The new terrorist group last week attacked Mera town in the Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State, while residents were preparing for Jumaat prayers, killing at least 15 people and carting away about 100 cows.
There have been reports also that the group is recruiting more members from communities and asserting authority over the people.
The Minister went ahead to claim that the Boko Haram terrorists and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) had been degraded by the military.
Meanwhile, Boko Haram terrorists have not relented in carrying out acts of killing, maiming and kidnapping innocent citizens. On Sunday night, November 10, the group reportedly killed no fewer than three people and over a dozen fishermen were abducted in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
READ ALSO: CCB invites Interior Minister, Tunji-Ojo, over alleged N438m contract fraud
On September 1, the terrorist group reportedly killed at least 81 people and kidnapped some others after an attack by suspected Boko Haram militants in Yobe State.
Inasmuch as it is arguable that the security situation in the country may have improved from what it was two years ago, the facts on ground remains that Nigerians, especially those in the northern part of the country are feeling the heat of the insecurity in the country. Bandits and terrorists still roam free making life a living hell for citizens.
This calls to question why the president is yet to thoroughly rejig the nation’s security architecture, and take a step away from his continuous assurance of ensuring the safety of life and property and take decisive strategies in flushing the criminals out.
Amidst the growing insecurity in the north, the administration has also failed to arrest the criminal elements fueling insecurity in the South-East, especially the ones causing unrest in the region under the guise of fighting to restore the Independent State of Biafra.
Tunji-Ojo also mentioned that the Ministry’s command and control centre established to curb the illegal entry of foreigners into the country is fully active.
He said the centre has commenced 24-hour operation since Monday.
He said: “We did the induction programme about two weeks ago. Just yesterday, we started the 24-hour operation of the command and control centre at Soka, the immigration headquarters in Abuja.
“All our international airports are on it. It’s there, live and direct. Even our land and sea borders are being integrated there because of what we call a regular migration control centre.”
While it is undeniable that the government efforts at restoring security is yielding some results, however, it has not been enough to stem the insecurity tide.
Tunji-Ojo’s claim of monitoring the borders calls to question how the Lukarawa passed through the nation’s borders to begin their terrorist operations.
It also calls to question how other terrorists groups and bandits have been infiltrating borders to make life rough and tough for innocent citizens.
It behoves the Minister to paint the true picture of the security situation in the country to the President and help chart a way forward with security agencies to aid the protection of lives and property in the country.
Can Tunji-Ojo toll this path? Only time will tell.
The post NEWS REVIEW: Minister Tunji-Ojo’s claim on security goes against facts on ground appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.