“To help the nation against ongoing situation, the media must increase their support for the fight against the exploitation of the internet and social media for terrorist purposes,” Presidency said.
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The Presidency, on Sunday, explained why the government has not been able to rescue the Abuja-Kaduna train kidnap victims five months after they were kidnapped by terrorists.
Buhari who claimed that he has done all, and even more than what is expected of him as Commander-in-Chief by way of morale, material and equipment support to the military and expects nothing short of good results in the immediate, boasted that the country’s security and defense forces are battle ready to deal with terrorists anywhere they are in Nigeria.
The government explained that the dilemma the security forces are having in bombing the location of the terrorists behind the Abuja-Kaduna train kidnap was the collateral damage it may cause the innocent people and the outcry such action may generate.
The presidency’s statement came on the heels of the threat by terrorists to kidnap President Muhammadu Buhari and the Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai.
In a statement titled, “Latest version of terror propaganda and military readiness,” by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the presidency called on the media not to give much publicity to terror groups.
The statement read: “Terrorist activity using propaganda and the use of violence to force governments to accept or submit to political demands is not new all over world.
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“The country’s security and defense forces are not clueless or helpless. They have their plans and ways of doing things which they will not display in the media.
“The dilemmas in dealing with the specific case of train terrorists are manifold: punitive action like the popular call for carpet bombing of the known locations may assuage the desire of an angry public for revenge, but what about the hostages?
“They have committed no offense. All they did was to board a train.
“It suffices to say that the security forces are not relenting. They are acutely aware of their duties, responsibilities and what the nation expects of them. Whenever they embark upon those actions, they expect that the public should provide them with the needed support.
“Terrorism is a global scourge that must be fought by all actors – the military, the civilian population and the communication service providers. This is the only way safe havens of terrorists are eliminated in every part of the world.
“To help the nation against ongoing situation, the media must increase their support for the fight against the exploitation of the internet and social media for terrorist purposes.
“The Presidency, in the meantime wishes to reassure the public that the President has done all, and even more than what is expected of him as Commander-in-Chief by way of morale, material and equipment support to the military and expects nothing short of good results in the immediate.”