The Federal Government has called for a united national front involving citizens, the media, civil society organisations, and security agencies in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism across the country.
The appeal comes amid growing concerns over the scale and spread of terrorism and criminal activities in the country, requiring not only military action but also stronger public cooperation and intelligence sharing.
Speaking at a national press briefing in Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said defeating terrorism requires collective resolve that cuts across ethnic, religious, political, and regional divides.
He stressed that the government’s #UniteAgainstTerror campaign is designed to mobilise Nigerians to stand together against terrorism and criminality, noting that an attack on any citizen should be regarded as an attack on the nation as a whole.
He assured citizens that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to securing the release of schoolchildren and teachers recently abducted in separate attacks in Oyo and Borno states.
Idris said security agencies, acting on the President’s directive, have intensified intelligence gathering, surveillance operations, and rescue efforts to ensure the victims’ safe return and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The minister highlighted recent gains in the country’s counter-terrorism campaign, noting that troops under Operation Hadin Kai have continued to neutralise terrorists, rescue civilians, and destroy terrorist infrastructure in the North-East. He disclosed that more than 50 terrorists were recently eliminated in follow-up operations in Borno State.
He also said security operations across the North-West, North-Central, South-East, and South-South regions have led to the dismantling of criminal hideouts, disruption of kidnapping networks, and improved protection of critical national assets.
Idris attributed the progress to enhanced inter-agency cooperation, intelligence sharing, technological advancements, regional partnerships, and community engagement.
He described the government’s strategy as a comprehensive approach combining military action, intelligence-led operations, and international collaboration to weaken terrorist and criminal groups.
The minister further pointed to judicial progress, including recent convictions secured against those responsible for the June 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, where dozens of worshippers were killed.
He revealed that hundreds of terrorism suspects are currently undergoing trial as part of one of the largest terrorism prosecution exercises in Nigeria’s history, stressing that justice remains a key pillar of national security.
Idris also urged media organisations to exercise professionalism and responsibility in reporting terrorism-related incidents, warning that terrorists often seek publicity and psychological impact through such coverage.
He called on Nigerians to remain vigilant, provide credible information to security agencies, and reject narratives capable of dividing communities along ethnic, religious, or political lines.
The minister reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting lives and property, expressing confidence that ongoing security operations and public support would ultimately defeat terrorism and violent criminality in the country.