FG orders security agencies to crush communal conflicts, clashes
(Nigeria) Alarmed by the growing wave of communal conflicts
and other clashes in some parts of the country, the Federal Government has
ordered all security agencies in the country to crush and deter all crises that
have the potential to breach the peace and national stability.
While it restated that its first priority is to ensure the
security of lives and property of the citizenry, government said all
socio-economic activities in the country must continue to thrive without any
hindrance from criminal elements and terrorists.
Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali gave the order
on Tuesday in Abuja at a seminar on "Media Management in Crisis
Situation" for Information Officers of the Military, Security and Response
Agencies, organised by the Centre for Crisis Communication, CCC, with support
from the Defence Headquarters, DHQ as well as the Nigeria Stability and
Reconciliation Programme NSRP.
Declaring the occasion open, he said "all security agencies
in Nigeria have been called upon to crush and deter the threats of crisis and
conflicts that have potential to disrupt peace and security of our country.
"Our security and response agencies are constantly
engaged in the essential tasks required for meeting the internal security
objectives of ensuring safety and security of Nigeria's territorial integrity,
its population and all the critical infrastructures. Our government will not
relent in this primary objective," he pledged.
He added that the government would continue to acknowledge
the sustained efforts of the various military, security and response agencies
who despite all odds are constantly and significantly mitigating the challenges
and consequences of violent eruptions and crisis across the country.
The minister pledged continued support for all the agencies
particularly those battling insurgency in the North East so that they can
effectively deliver on their mandate.
On crisis management, the minister tasked information
officers of the various agencies to be patriotic and professional in the
discharge of their duties.
"You must bear in mind that our dear country is
currently confronted with several challenges which demand every sense of
professionalism in the way and manner information is to be managed.
"You have the responsibility to manage sensitive
information at your disposal with all sense of patriotism and to relate with
media and the general public with utmost sense of professionalism taking into
cognizance the importance of our cherished national interest and national
security", he charged.
The minister who commended the CCC for its contribution to
national security also charged other organisations to emulate such laudable
initiative.
Welcoming guests and participants to the seminar, the
Executive Secretary, Centre for Crisis Communications CCC, Air Commodore Yusuf
Anas (retd) said the seminar was designed to assist information officers to
effectively and efficiently engage the media to communicate responsibly with
the public.
He added that the media influence in contemporary scheme of
human endeavour cannot be downplayed, hence the need to develop an efficient
and effective cadre of Public Relations personnel who would be able to manage
communication in crisis situation.
The seminar, he added, would also encourage synergy among
security and response agencies through harmonisation of information, recalling
that in prior to the establishment of the Forum of Spokespersons of Security
and Response Agencies FOSRA, the fore bearer of CCC, there used to be
conflicting information from the various agencies during crisis situations.
He however conceded that there was still an urgent need to
enhance greater communication with the public.
In his goodwill message, Programme Manager of NSRP, Dr Ukoha
Ukiwo said the NSRP was working in eight target states on conflict mitigation,
especially reducing it's effect on the vulnerable segment off the population.
He congratulated the CCC for being able to host the seminar
in spite of several challenges. He added that there would be a replication of
the seminar in the North East and South South zones of the country.
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