The Federal Government has called for a united national front against terrorism and violent extremism, urging Nigerians, the media, civil society organisations, and security agencies to strengthen collaboration in safeguarding the country’s peace and security.
Speaking at a national press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said defeating terrorism requires collective action that rises above political, ethnic, religious, and regional divides.
According to a statement issued by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, Idris stressed that terrorism threatens every Nigerian regardless of background.
“The Federal Government is mobilising citizens, the media, and security agencies in a united front against terrorism because an attack on one Nigerian is an attack on all Nigerians. Terrorism has no tribe, religion, or political affiliation; its sole objective is destruction,” he said.
The minister said the government’s position is reflected in the national campaign, #UniteAgainstTerror, which encourages citizens to stand together against violent extremism and criminality.
Idris also reassured Nigerians that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains fully committed to securing the release of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in recent attacks in Oyo and Borno states.
“The safe return of every child and teacher currently in captivity remains a top national priority. The President has made it clear that no child belongs in captivity, and every available resource is being deployed to ensure their rescue and the prosecution of those responsible,” he said.
He disclosed that security agencies, acting on the President’s directives, have intensified intelligence gathering, surveillance, and coordinated rescue operations to secure the victims’ freedom and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Highlighting recent security successes, Idris said troops under Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East have continued to neutralise terrorists, rescue civilians, and dismantle terrorist infrastructure. He revealed that more than 50 terrorists were recently eliminated in follow-up operations in Borno State, while several high-profile targets have been taken out through coordinated military actions.
He added that ongoing operations across the North-West, North-Central, South-East, and South-South have led to the destruction of criminal hideouts, disruption of kidnapping networks, and improved protection of critical national assets.
According to the minister, Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts are yielding positive results due to stronger inter-agency cooperation, improved intelligence sharing, enhanced surveillance capabilities, and deeper international partnerships.
“What distinguishes our current approach is the integration of military pressure, intelligence-led operations, technology, regional cooperation, and community engagement. This strategy is steadily weakening the operational capacity of terrorist and criminal groups,” he stated.
Idris also highlighted significant judicial progress in the fight against terrorism, citing the recent convictions of perpetrators involved in the June 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, where scores of worshippers were killed.
He noted that the government has launched one of the largest terrorism prosecution exercises in the nation’s history, with hundreds of terrorism suspects currently facing trial under Nigeria’s counter-terrorism laws.
“Justice is a critical pillar of national security. Beyond military operations, the government is committed to ensuring that those involved in terrorism face the full weight of the law. Recent convictions and ongoing trials demonstrate that impunity will not be tolerated,” he said.
The minister urged media organisations to maintain professionalism and restraint in reporting terrorism-related incidents, warning that terrorists often seek publicity and psychological influence through their actions.
“While the media has a duty to inform the public accurately, care must be taken not to inadvertently advance the objectives of terrorists. Responsible journalism can deny them the attention they seek while keeping citizens properly informed,” he added.
He further called on Nigerians to remain vigilant, support security agencies with credible information, and reject divisive narratives aimed at creating ethnic, religious, or political tensions.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property, Idris said security operations would continue until terrorism and violent criminality are decisively defeated.
“Nigeria has overcome difficult challenges in the past and will overcome this one. United in purpose and resolute in action, we will ensure that terrorism has no future in Nigeria,” he said.
The briefing was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr Binyerem C. Ukaire; representatives of the security services; presidential media aides; and other senior government officials.