Lai: If not for Buhari, terrorists would have declared Islamic State in Nigeria

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, has said if not for the actions of President Muhammadu Buhari, terrorists would have declared Islamic State in Nigeria.

Addressing reporters in Abuja on Wednesday, the minister said posterity will be kind to Buhari, whom he said has made security one of the cardinal focuses of his administration.

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He said no administration in Nigeria’s recent history has provided the security agencies with the hardware needed to tackle insecurity as that of Buhari.

“The polity has recently been awash with heightened commentary on the security situation in the country. The commentary has been
triggered by genuine concerns in some circles, and crass politicking or sheer absurdity in others.

“Since assuming office in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari has continued to make the issue of security a major plank of his
Administration’s policy. This is not a surprise, considering the fact that the fight against insecurity is one of the three priority areas
of the APC-led Federal Government.

“Yes, the security situation has continued to pose a great challenge, but amidst the cacophony of voices – some genuinely
concerned about the situation and others ready to exploit it for selfish ends – it is easy to forget where we are coming from. Today,
we only look at the current situation, without wondering what would have been had this President not taken the bull by the horns, as far as security is concerned.

“It is easy to forget where we are coming from. Today, we only look at the current situation, without wondering what would have been had this President not taken the bull by the horns, as far as security is concerned.

“With the way the insurgents were going before this Administration came into office, with their control of a vast swath of land the size of Belgium, with their freewheeling attacks in almost a dozen states, including the Federal Capital Territory which was hit at least five times, perhaps they could have achieved their aim of declaring an Islamic State in Nigeria, if President Buhari had not acted decisively.

“After all, in 2014, Boko Haram declared a Caliphate in Gwoza after capturing Bama and Gamboru as well as other towns and villages in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. They installed their own Emirs, collected taxes and flew their flag before the military dislodged them,” Mohammed said.