The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to defeating terrorism and restoring peace across Nigeria through a comprehensive blend of military operations, socio-economic reforms, and regional diplomatic efforts.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, made this known on Wednesday in Abuja during a joint press conference hosted by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris.
Alake noted that insecurity in Nigeria predates the Tinubu administration, stressing that the government’s current approach represents a coordinated and well-planned response aimed at tackling the root causes of terrorism and insurgency.
“The insecurity challenges did not begin under President Tinubu or even two years ago,” Alake said. “However, from the array of decisive actions taken so far, if such measures had been implemented a decade earlier, Nigeria would not be facing the same level of crisis today.”
He highlighted recent changes in the leadership of the nation’s security agencies as part of the government’s effort to strengthen counterterrorism coordination. “The changes in 2023 and again just recently were deliberate steps to reinvigorate our security architecture and inject fresh energy and strategy into the fight,” he said.
According to the minister, the administration’s security policies are products of “deep, exhaustive planning and strategic execution,” which are beginning to yield tangible results across affected regions.
Alake urged Nigerians to objectively assess the progress made over the past two years, noting that “a comparative analysis between the last decade and the last two years will clearly show the renewed commitment and effectiveness of this government’s counterterrorism drive.”
He dismissed claims that terrorist attacks were driven by religious motives, insisting that most incidents were rooted in economic or political grievances.
“When these terrorists strike, they do not act based on religion,” he said. “Often, the communities affected are inhabited by people of a particular faith, but to attribute the attacks to religious persecution is inaccurate and misleading.”
Alake called on the media to avoid amplifying divisive narratives or sensational misinformation, urging journalists to focus on reporting the successes recorded by the Nigerian Armed Forces in their ongoing operations.
He emphasized that accurate reporting and responsible communication are crucial to maintaining public morale and supporting the national security effort.
“This administration is fully committed to restoring peace and protecting every Nigerian, irrespective of faith or ethnicity,” Alake stated. “We urge the media and citizens alike to stand united in this collective fight against terrorism.”
