The federal government says it will not slide into panic mode but will continue to work assiduously with local and international partners to end terrorism and insecurity in the country.
Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris stated this on Thursday while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
Mr Idris stressed that the government remains calm, focused, and stable in its approach to national security.
“The president is calm. The Federal Executive Council members are calm. There is no panic mode here. We are responding responsibly, steadily, and in the interest of our country,” the minister said.
He said the government is responding responsibly and diplomatically to the recent designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” by the United States.
“We don’t want to escalate the rhetoric—you have said, we have said, and all that. The responsibility that we have as a government is to ensure that whatever genuine concerns there are, to keep our citizens safe, the Nigerian government will continue to do so,” Mr Idris said.
“But there is no panic mode here. We are responding responsibly, steadily, and in the interest of our country, also taking into account the concerns both from within and outside this country about what the situation is,” the minister stated.
He maintained that Nigeria has tolerance for religion, reiterating its commitment to ensuring religious freedom and the safety of all citizens.
“The killing of even one Nigerian citizen is of concern to the government of Nigeria. Our constitution guarantees the right of everyone to worship his or her religion without hindrance, and government remains committed to protecting that right,” he said.
The minister said Nigeria will continue to collaborate with international and regional partners, noting that diplomatic channels have been opened with the U.S.
“The issues of terrorism and violent extremism are not limited to one country. We have porous borders, which is why we maintain cooperation with our regional and international partners, including the United States.
“Channels have been opened, and we prefer that this situation be resolved diplomatically,” he said.
Mr Idris reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to safeguarding citizens while preserving Nigeria’s dignity and sovereignty in international relations.
(NAN)