Minister: US security advisory will create needless panic

The federal government says the recent advisory issued to Americans living in Nigeria by the US embassy would create a “needless panic”.

In an “emergency information”, the US said there are “elevated threats” to major hotels in Nigeria’s “larger cities”.

The advisory said the Nigerian security agencies are working to counter the threat.

Speaking at a meeting with media executives and editors in Abuja on Monday, Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, said the government has always prioritised the safety of citizens and foreigners.

“We understand the concerns raised by the United States government in their recent travel advisory, but believe that it is imperative that we do not generalize isolated incidents across the entire hospitality industry,” Idris said.

“What we have seen is that such advisories do not achieve anything other than needless panic, and they can have severe adverse economic impact, not to talk of what they do to undermine the government’s efforts to attract investment.

“We have consistently prioritized the safety and well-being of all visitors to our country.

“We have implemented comprehensive security measures, both at the federal and state levels, to ensure the safety of tourists and international guests.”

The minister said the security agencies have been busy securing the country.

“In various parts of Kaduna State, seven bandits were neutralised in various operations between the 1st and 3rd of November,” he said.

“In Kano state, on November 3, a joint operation by troops of the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services carried out a dawn raid operation on terrorists’ hideout in Gezawa Local Government Area, successfully averting an imminent attack on Kano by insurgents.

“The operation recovered AK 47 Rifles, AK 47 Rifle Magazines, a Rocket Propelled Gun (RPG), RPG Bombs, Hand Grenades, Improvised Explosive Device (IED)-making materials, among others.

“In Katsina, two NYSC members abducted by bandits were successfully rescued.
In the north-east and north-west of the country, the Nigerian Air Force has been very busy, with several successful airstrikes on bandits’ and terrorists’ camps and hideouts in Katsina, Zamfara and Borno states.”

The minister said the federal government is working to cushion the effects of the removal of subsidy on premium motor spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol.