Reacting to the abduction and rescue of 344 Kankara boys and 80 Islamic students in Katsina State, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has revealed the reason for the upsurge of kidnapping.
Speaking with Special Forum of the News Agency of Nigeria, Lai Mohammed said terrorists target schools for abduction of vulnerable children to embarrass the government and inflict damage on the credibility of a nation.
He said attacks on such soft targets were deliberate because it would attract global concerns.
“These are all terrorists who want to embarrass the government and catch the attention of the entire world.
“The psychology is to inflict the most serious damage on the credibility of a country, giving the impression that if you cannot protect the most vulnerable in the country, such government is incompetent,’’ he said.
The minister, however, commended the nation’s security and intelligence agencies for their promptness, synergy, and professionalism in ensuring the rescue of the victims.
He noted that no country in the world is immune to terrorist attacks.
“The US with all its technology and intelligence prowess could not avert the 9/11 which cost almost 2,000 lives.
“With all its acclaimed security expertise, the US could not save almost 200 children killed and injured in various school shooting incidents between 2010 and today.
“The MH13, which is a militant group cult group based in Los Angeles, has been tormenting the US for decades.
“France has lost about 289 people to terrorists between 2010 and today.
“Only recently, in March 2019, 49 people were shot dead in shootings at two mosques in ChristChurch in New Zealand,’’ he said.
The minister said the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), regime met the Boko Haram and banditry challenges.
He noted that the approach of the government in confronting insecurity was better and more effective than any previous administration.
Source: Punch
