Alhaji Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture has described the attack on the convoy of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 12 headquartered in Bauchi, Audu Madaki, as an attempt by terrorists to score “a psychological point”.
Mohammed who stated this while responding to a question on the attack told State House Correspondents on Wednesday that “the government is taking the job of security very seriously.”
Recall that suspected terrorists attacked the convoy of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, injuring him and killing his orderly.
Madaki was said to be on his way to Abuja from Bauchi when the terrorists ambushed and attacked him between Barde and Jagindi area in Kaduna State at about 02:30 pm, Tuesday.
Although the AIG Madaki survived with gunshot injuries, his orderly was shot dead.
Speaking on the attack, Mohammed said “On the issue of the attack on the AIG in Bauchi, I need further information from the IG as to the circumstances of the attack. But what I know is that bandits would always want to make this kind of spectacular attack just to score a psychological point.
“But I know that the government is taking the job of security very seriously. As you can see, even today, the Honorable Minister of the FCT has told you exactly what he is doing to ensure that security is improved.
“Over the last couple of days, I’ve seen that the FCT police command has also given out telephone numbers to call in case of any security breach or information.”
According to Mohammed, the success of the military has not received as wide reportage as the terrorist attacks.
“I know that there have been quite a few successes by the military in overrunning the bandits around Abuja in the last couple of days.
“Regrettably, it’s like when the military is having the upper hand, they are not given the same kind of media coverage as when the bandits attack,” he said.
On concerns raised by some civil society organisations that the worsening insecurity may hinder next year’s elections, the information minister assured Nigerians that there would be elections.
He said, “There will be an election. I can assure you. The President has said that he has given the security all the needed support. The Service Chiefs are doing their best and will continue to do their best.”