Bandits’ attack on AIG, attempt to score psychological point – Lai Mohammed

The Minister of information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has described the attack on the convoy of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Zone 12 headquartered in Bauchi, Audu Madaki, as an attempt by terrorists to score “a psychological point”.

He stated this on Wednesday while responding to a question from State House correspondents on what the attack means for the Federal Government.
Suspected terrorists had on Tuesday afternoon attacked the convoy of the AIG in Kaduna, injuring him and killing his Orderly.

AIG Madaki, it was learnt, was on his way to Abuja from Bauchi State, when the terrorists ambushed and attacked him between Barde and Jagindi areas in Kaduna State.
He survived with gunshot injuries but his Orderly was shot dead.
Fielding questions at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, Mohammed said, “On the issue of the attack on the AIG in Bauchi, I need further information from the IG as to the circumstances of the attack.

“But what I know is that bandits would always want to make this kind of spectacular attack just to score a psychological point.
“But I know that the government is taking the job of security very seriously. As you can see, even today, the Honourable Minister of the FCT has told you exactly what he is doing to ensure that security is improved.
“Over the last couple of days, I’ve seen that the FCT police command has also given out telephone numbers to call in case of any security breach or information.”

Mohammed lamented that the success of the military has not received wide reportage as the terrorist attacks.
He said, “I know that there have been quite a few successes by the military in overrunning the bandits around Abuja in the last couple of days.
“Regrettably, it’s like when the military is having the upper hand, they are not given the same kind of media coverage as when the bandits attack.”

Also speaking, the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, justified the halting of rail services nationwide.
According to him, imminent security threats necessitated the move as it would be inappropriate to endanger lives.
“I would like to state clearly that it is better to suspend a service where there is an imminent threat, and clear the threat first. Or where an incident had occurred and to investigate that incident, rather than jeopardise the life of a single Nigerian.

“So if there’s any suspension of rail services as of this morning, which is yet to be officially reported to me, because I had to come to Council very early this morning. As soon as I go back to the office, I will find out why. But Nigerians will rest assured that it is better to suspend the service than subject Nigerians to any threat to their lives,” he said.