Presidency Flays Gov. Nyako for Making "Irresponsible Statements" on Nigeria's Security

The Federal Government on Wednesday kicked against ‘irresponsible statements’ by some highly placed Nigerians, saying it was an attempt to instigate citizens against government over ongoing fight against terror groups in the country.

Briefing State House correspondents in Abuja after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, said the nation was in need of unity not divisive tendencies.

Maku, who specifically frowned at recent comments by Gov. Murtala Nyako on the security challenges facing the country, said such statements should not have come from a retired military officer and a serving state governor, who was aware of the implications of such on the nation’s security.

``Each time the security people strike a target, there is a lot of public uproar and propaganda which is weakening our national resolve to fight terror.

``This nation deserves security at this time even in the heat of it, you hear
some irresponsible comment coming from highly placed people including a governor.

``Now, this nation is in need of unity but we are playing to the gallery by making irresponsible statements.

``We are making statements that will divide the country, statement that is setting the citizen against security services and government.

"To hear the kind of things being said by the governor of Adamawa state‎ at this period is very unfortunate.

"Nyako is the former Chief of Naval Staff. He has worn uniform before, to publicly incite the people against the security forces of this country is the height of irresponsibility.’’

He said when people reached a certain age, they should watch their utterances and the kind of things they are supposed to say.

Maku, however, reassured that the nation would definitely defeat terror and urged the citizens to always be security conscious and maintain vigilance around their localities.