Stop giving `oxygen’ to terrorists’ activities, Lai Mohammed charges media

Stop giving `oxygen’ to terrorists’ activities, Lai Mohammed charges media.

The Federal Government on Wednesday in Abuja again enjoined social and mainstream media to stop giving oxygen to terrorists’ activities to check their nefarious acts.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, gave the admonition when he fielded questions from State House correspondents.

The minister, who was reacting to recent attacks on military formations in Kaduna State, said terrorists enjoyed seeing their stories in front pages of newspapers and social media platforms.

He stated that the Federal Government was on top of the security situation as many of the terrorists had been neutralised by security personnel deployed to affected areas.

“We will continue to give relevant information on the progress we are making in our fight against terrorism.

“We can assure you that we are on top of this matter.

“In any country where there is terrorism, terrorists want to feature on the front pages of newspapers even when they are down as such publicity gives them needed oxygen.

“This is where I think we also seek your support in understanding the mentality of terrorists that even when they are dying they look for the soft underbelly that will keep them relevant.

“This, they do, to enable them to get more money and more support from their sponsors.

“Clearly the last three, four, or five days, the military recorded massive victories against terrorists and bandits, either in the northeast or in the Kaduna- Niger states axis,’’ the minister said.

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Mohammed, who confirmed Tuesday’s attack on a military base in Kaduna, also said the attack was well repelled, but unfortunately, that was not reported.

“Yes, there was an attack on a military base in Kaduna State.

“What was not reported was the very timely and efficient manner it was repelled, and the huge casualty suffered by the bandits and terrorists.

“I have a video of the area’s interdiction by the military.

“I keep saying that this is an asymmetrical war in which we are not at liberty to tell you details and how the camps of the bandits are being decimated daily.

“It is a war of attrition; but our military is living to the billing.

“Our military is working day and night to ensure that the terrorists are neutralised,’’ the minister assured.