Federal Government express worries by BIAFRA, IPOB threats

The Federal Government said on Monday said that it was worried by the threat posed by activities of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign Of Biafra and the Indigenous People of Biafra which has in recent times turned violent.

He, however, assured that it was determined to tackle all security challenges facing the country.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, David Babachir Lawal who expressed government’s concern at the opening of the 4th Eminent Persons and Experts Group Meeting in Abuja, said the government is making efforts to engage stakeholders in the south east as a way of dousing tension in the region.

Lawal said security agents have engaged members of the National Assembly and traditional rulers from the south east with a view to creating a synergy whose impact would be felt all over the country, while governors from the area have been asked to initiate activities that would positively engage the Biafra agitators.

While also expressing concern over the increasing level of kidnapping in the country, the SGF lamented that what started on a small scale with personnel of oil companies as the main target has now snowball to all parts and segments of the country.

He said the government was determined to tackle the myriad of security challenges facing the country, adding that security agents are already harmonising their efforts to tackle criminal activities and guarantee security of lives and property of the populace.

He said further that security of lives and property of the citizens remain one of the cardinal objectives of the present administration, stressing that security agencies have been tasked to ensure that every part of the country enjoy relative peace and security, bearing in mind that no meaningful development can be achieved in the absence of law and order.

He stressed that the success achieved so far in the fight against terrorism in the north east is a testimony and appealed to the participants to join hands in mobilizing members of the public to support government in its bid to address the various security challenges facing the country.

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Odien Ajumogobia who was Chairman of the event noted that while government’s responsibility for and commitment to Nigeria’s economic advancement and sustainable development is not in doubt, implementation of development policies by government is severely constrained by insecurity.