The Federal Government has expressed strong disapproval over security alert issued by some embassies alleging plot by terrorists to attack government and public facilities in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
The United States and United Kingdom embassies in Nigeria had on Sunday issued advisories to their citizens with warning that terrorists are planning to launch attack against public places in Nigeria.
The embassies had consequently warned their citizens to be on alert and keep off such public places.
But Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed at a ministerial panel of the on-going UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Week lashed Nigerian media outlets and social media personalities for spreading the security alerts without verifying its authenticity and consequences.
Mohammed was a panelist at the UNESCO session with the topic, “National Media and Information Literacy Frameworks, Sustaining Beyond Disinformation’’ moderated by Dr Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director-General Communication and Information Sector, UNESCO.
Other discussants on the panel are Nigeria Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, Minister of state for Education, Good luck Opiah and UK Minister of Tech and Digital Economy, Damian Collins participated virtually.
In his presentation, Mohammed said the warning issued by the embassies which was not the true position of the security situation in the country could create unnecessary tension and panic.
He also condemned the media outfits which fed on the unverified security alert to attract traffic to their site without considering the effects on the country.
“Some media outlets and social media personalities are usually caught spreading unverified information on their platforms just for click bait and the attendant monetary gain.
“Talking of click bait, this may be what informed the spread of the supposed security alert issued recently by some foreign embassies in Nigeria.
“One would imagine that if indeed this kind of security alert was issued, it was for the attention of citizens of the issuing countries in Nigeria.
“Suddenly, this alert found its way into the media, both new and traditional, thus creating panic in the polity.
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“Schools were shut. Businesses were closed. Travel plans were altered. Lives were disrupted. No one cared to find out about the authenticity of these alerts.
“They just published, got the benefit of massive click bait and damned the consequences,’’ he said.
He reiterated his position that the country “is safer today than at any time in recent times’’, with the efforts and sacrifices of the military.
The minister said the security forces had been proactive and as far as insecurity is concerned, the worst is over for Nigeria.
He, therefore, urged Nigerians not to panic but to be alert at all times
“We do not discountenance the fact that terrorists, bandits and their kind would always want to do whatever it takes to disrupt our nation’s peace, security and stability.