By EMMANUEL OLONIRUHA

The Federal Government, on Wednesday, reaffirmed its determination to rescue the abducted Kebbi schoolgirls, and as well strengthen the national fight against insecurity.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this at a news conference in Abuja, on the efforts of the Government to win the battle against terrorism.

He said President Bola Tinubu has placed the nation’s security agencies on their “highest alert ever,” directing them to intensify operations aimed at eliminating terrorists, bandits, and criminal networks across the country.

The minister assured that all available resources are being deployed to ensure the safe return of the girls to their families and restore security nationwide.

“Let it be known that the President has put our nation’s security apparatuses on the highest alert ever, and has deployed to actively pursue and eliminate terrorists, bandits, and criminal elements wherever they may be in Nigeria.

“Our security forces have also been mandated to swiftly rescue the abducted Kebbi school girls and reunite them with their families,” he said.

The minister extended President Tinubu’s earnest sympathies to Nigerians affected by the acts of violence perpetrated by those he described as “enemies of the Nigerian nation”, mainly, terrorists, bandits, and other sundry criminal elements.

He said the recent tragic killing of a high-ranking Army General, the abduction of students in Kebbi State, and the attack on a Church in Kwara, among others, were a stark and painful reminder of the threat Nigerians face.

According to Idris, the heinous attack on those dedicated to protection of Nigerians including to the youth, and the assault on places of worship, only strengthen the resolve of the Federal Government to rise above the challenges and deal a permanent blow to terrorism.

“As you are all aware, President Tinubu has postponed his international engagements particularly the G20 Meeting in South Africa to allow him to focus on the developments within Nigeria.

“The President has also directed the military and the police to deploy more men in Eruku and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara state.

“Similarly, the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, at the behest of the President, is at present in Birnin Kebbi to meet with the Governor of Kebbi state, Alhaji Nasir Idris, security chiefs, traditional rulers, and families of the abducted school girls,” he said.

Idris listed those on the VP’s entourage to include the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the newly appointed Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro.

Others are, the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Ibrahim, and the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Hajiya Zubaida Umar.

The minister expressed the federal government’s concern over “divisive and narrow rhetoric” seeking to frame the nation’s security challenges in sectarian terms.

He said that the government categorically refuted any characterisation of the situation along religious lines.

Also at the briefing were Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy and Dr. Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Mr. Tunde Rahman, Senior Special Assistant to the President of Media Affairs and Malam Ali M. Ali the Managing-Director of the News Agency of Nigeria were also in attendance, among others. (NAN)