Moses Ofodeme
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has claimed that Boko Haram is decimated and the remnants of the group are seeking relevance; by claiming responsibility for the abduction of 344 schoolboys in Kankara, Katsina State.
Mohammed stated this at a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, December 18.
He confirmed that the schoolboys, who had been released unharmed, were kidnapped by bandits.
“The children were kidnapped by bandits, not Boko Haram the attempt by the insurgent group to take responsibility shows how decimated they are.
“Boko Haram is seeking relevance by trying to appropriate to themselves the handwork of bandits and sending out fake videos.
“Boko haram is weakened and seeking for relevance; and giving the impression that they are still a potent force,’’ he said.
Mohammed said the incidents in Kankara, Chibok, and also Dapchi were totally unacceptable.
He said children should not have to go to school in trepidation; adding that the government would continue to do everything possible to secure all schools.
The minister said the government would also not relent until all Nigerians can go to bed at night with their two eyes closed.
He noted that the release of the schoolboys was a testament to the importance that the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration attaches to the security and safety of all law-abiding citizens as well as visitors.
The Minister however, noted that no nation is immune to security challenges.
“There is no government in the world that will not face the challenges of security at one time or another.
“No government in the world is immune to terrorist attacks.
“What stands any government out is the way and manner it responds to such challenges.
“For example, school shooting has been a recurring challenge in the United States.
“Between 2010 and 2020, almost 200 school children were killed and many more injured in various school shooting incidents.
“Needless to say that the world’s most powerful country suffered a tragic terrorist attack in September 2001 that claimed almost 3,000 lives,” he said.