The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lai Mohammed has said that without adequate weapons, Nigeria will remain at the mercy of terrorists.
Reacting to the heightened insecurity in Nigeria and the recent killing of farmers in Borno State, Mohammed declared that terrorism is a global issue and Nigeria needs global support to combat it, but regretted that the country has been denied the support.
“Terrorism is a global issue and there is no part of the world that is not experiencing these pockets of terrorism. I am glad that you heard from the governor himself that the Federal Government has assisted a lot in curbing the insecurity in Benue State.
“We also need more support from global partners. For instance, Nigeria has made attempt to acquire better and more effective platforms to deal with terrorists. But for one reason or the other, we have been denied these weapons. And without adequate platforms and weapons we remain at the mercy of terrorists,” the Minister said.
The minister, who spoke with journalists in Maiduguri, described as unfortunate the terrorism attack in Zabarmari, Jere Local Government Area of Borno State, which resulted in the death of 43 farmers. He said that the federal government was doing everything possible to eliminate the insurgents.
“What happened in Borno State was quite unfortunate but we must also be able to look at the strategy of the terrorists. Terrorists use media and publicity as oxygen.
“When they go on the mindless killing of innocent people, it is like a dying terrorist group which suddenly spring back to life. This doesn’t mean that the Federal Government is not doing well enough,” Mohammed added.
The 43 farmers were killed on Saturday morning around Marrabati and Hammayya villages, near Zabarmari in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State by Boko Haram terrorists.