Fulani Eviction In South West: ‘Military Moving In,’ Says Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has asked Nigerians to stop giving ethnic and religious undertones to security challenges facing the country.

Mohammed also urged the people of Igangan in Oyo State to be calm as the military has been drafted to the area to contain the crisis.

He said by reading ethnic or religious meanings to security problems, the citizens were heating up the polity.

The minister was reacting to the recent eviction notices issued to Fulani herdsmen in Oyo and Ondo States, and the subsequent attack on the herders in Igangana, Oyo State, on the grounds that they were behind some of the kidnappings and killings in the community.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, Mohammed said the situation was now being addressed by the military and the political leaders.

“Yes, we have challenges in the South-West but I can assure you it is being taken very good care of. Both military and political leaders are on top of the matter,” he said.

The minister urged Nigerians to, “…please lower the temperature. And we should stop politicizing security matters. We should stop reading ethnicity or religion to purely security issues,” adding that, “And like I told you, as I speak now, efforts are being made to contain these issues and other issues.”

Mohammed also claimed that contrary to the general belief, the administration of President Buhari had done well in terms of security than the previous government.

“I have no hesitation in saying yes that the security situation in the country is better than we met it in 2015.

“Nigeria today is facing security challenges but it is by far better than what we met. What do I mean? Prior to 2015, bombings, suicide bombings, by Boko Haram were taking place in at least 12 states of the Federation. They were Plateau, Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, Yobe. Not even Abuja was spared.

“And if you look at the number of lives that were lost before then and today, there is no doubt that yes we have challenges but we are much better than it was,” he said.