"Security operatives know the location of kidnappers, but they're being careful" – Lai Mohammed blows hot

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has kicked against use of force in attacking the kidnappers in their various locations. According to him, he says security operatives know the location of all the kidnappers, but the use of force can’t be applied. 

Lai Mohammed who made this statement during a press conference in Lagos on May 11, said that the security operatives can’t use force to invade the kidnappers’ locations, so that civilians and their victims won’t be harmed in the process. 

In his words, he says:

“It is no longer news that our dear nation is facing security challenges. However, I have read comments saying the Federal Government is overwhelmed and doesn’t have a clue as to how to tackle the challenges. Some have even gone as far as suggesting a truncation of the democratic order, a clearly treasonable stance.

Well, I am here today to assure all Nigerians that while the government acknowledges the security challenges we face at this time, from terrorism to kidnapping, banditry and farmer-herder conflict, it is definitely not overwhelmed and indeed it has the wherewithal, as you will see in the days ahead, to confront the challenges headlong and restore law and order, peace and security.”

He continued: 

“One of the most difficult things to do, for a democratically-elected government, is to use the instruments of coercion against its own people. For example, while the nation’s military have superior firepower over the rag tag band of Boko Haram and ISWA, the terrorists most often than not operate among the populace, either in our villages or towns, hence the military, in tackling them, is usually careful to avoid collateral damage.

The same applies to the kidnappers who abduct our school children. Usually, the location of the kidnappers is not unknown to security forces, but they still have to exercise caution in order not to hurt the same children they are trying to rescue. Despite these inhibitions, the security forces have the wherewithal to decisively tackle the challenges.”