ABEOKUTA – A renowned security expert, Otunba Adejare Adegbenro has faulted the “worst is over” claim made by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed .
The Federal Government on Monday had said peace and security are returning across Nigeria, noting that the worst of insecurity is over in nation.
It said while the country may still witness isolated attacks on soft targets by terrorists, the security agencies have battled the agents of darkness and recorded massive victory against the terrorists.
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, reassured Nigerians that the worst of insecurity in the country is over.
Reacting to the statement while featuring on OGTV breakfast programme, New Dawn on Wednesday, Otunba Adegbenro submitted that this is not the right time to make bogus statements but rather to call on every stakeholder to work in tandem for a safe Nigeria.
Otunba Adegbenro reacted to the statement while featuring on OGTV breakfast programme, New Dawn on Wednesday submitted that this is not the right time to make bogus statements but rather to call on every stakeholder to work in tandem for a safe Nigeria.
“How’s the worst over? As far as I’m concerned, Nigeria still has a lot of security gaps against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements. If the minister is being truthful, the best thing he can say is we are working on it. That’s the appropriate thing to say. How many of them have gone to do on the spot assessment despite being in possession of bullet proof cars.
“It hurts me that the Nigeria that I see growing up is not the Nigeria I see now. When he said the worst is over, wasn’t there an attack barely 24 hours before grandstanding? The abduction of 32 passengers along Ondo State axis on Oluku/Owo Road. Have they been released? Even after his statement, haven’t they attacked? At times, one cannot but wish for a benevolent dictator if such a person exists. However, we thank God that we are a very prayerful people. Left to this bunch of political class, Nigeria would no longer be Nigeria. Our security strength is about 1.2 million for over 200 million people, out of this, how many are being used by Federal Government, agencies, VIP, VVIP. Deduct that and you will be amazed that quite a number of our security officers are protecting a few at the neglect of the majority doing what bodyguards should be doing.
“Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed Nigerian Army, Airforce, Civil Defence have been making tremendous effort which we must commend but the Federal Government has to boost their morale with better welfare package. Meanwhile, well meaning Nigerians should also support them. We are all Nigerians and our tribe comes second” he concluded.
Adegbenro, therefore, called on well-meaning Nigerians to support the government at overcoming the security challenges.
