Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has placed the country's security forces on the highest state of alert, ordering them to intensify operations to eliminate terrorists and criminal networks nationwide amid increasing violent attacks against the population. This was announced by Information Minister Mohammed Idris during a press conference in Abuja focused on the government's counter-terrorism efforts.
"The President has placed our country's security organs on maximum alert to actively pursue and destroy terrorists, bandits, and criminal elements wherever they may be located within Nigeria. The security forces have also been directed to swiftly rescue the kidnapped schoolgirls from Kebbi and reunite them with their families," the minister stated, as reported by the Nigerian News Agency (NAN).
The minister conveyed President Tinubu's heartfelt condolences to Nigerians affected by the militants' violent acts. He emphasized that the country's leader is taking concrete measures to address the security challenges.
"As you are aware, President Tinubu has postponed his international engagements, specifically his trip to the G20 Summit in South Africa, to focus on the situation in Nigeria," Idris added.
NAN links this decision to the increasing frequency of attacks by terrorists and bandits on civilians. For instance, on November 18, terrorists in Nigeria's Borno State killed Brigadier General Musa Ubu. In the town of Maga, Kebbi State, armed individuals attacked a public girls' boarding school, killing the deputy principal and abducting 25 students.
Nigeria has suffered from terrorist attacks and bandit activities for many years, particularly in the country's northeast. The insurgent group Boko Haram, which emerged in Nigeria in 2009, remains highly active in the region. The ensuing conflict, which has drawn in other jihadist groups, has resulted in over 40,000 deaths and displaced approximately two million people.
