The Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi on Tuesday said there was no smoke without fire after the US, UK and several other western nations raised a terror alarm in Abuja.
Magashi, a retired General, however noted that the nation’s armed forces have the situation under control, reiterating the Federal Government’s position on the matter.
The Minister made this assertion while appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Defence in Abuja for 2022 budget defence noted that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, is interacting with the US ambassador to Nigeria to ensure that such information is responsibly disseminated and dealt with subsequently.
He said: “Other countries also are willing to do same. If you remember, yesterday, the security council met and we discussed this threat and it was believed that we will not take it lightly. We tried to verify the source of the threat or the pronouncement made by the US government. We tried to identify countries that were also interested in the same remarks made by the US government and we are of the opinion that the best way to go about it is to continue and where possible beef up security in Abuja and its contagious states, that is Nassarawa, Niger and the rest of them.
“However, we believe that there is no smoke without fire and in that regard, we were able to subject the details to our intelligence organizations and they have provided answers to those areas which the government in doubt and we realized that what we need is to be extra vigilant to prevent any activity of the bandits, from where the threat is likely, we will be able to provide enough forces that can neutralize those kinds of situations.
“I want to assure members that the government is on top of the situation. Based on security meeting and what we have on the ground, I think what we need is prayers from the United States, not giving us information that will make our citizens to be either confused or not being able to take appropriate action. And our minister of foreign affairs is taking that up to ensure that information of such nature is brought to the notice of the ministry before disseminating to the society.
“I think we are on top of the situation. The threat is not very dire and we are taking it lightly. We are doing all we can to ensure that peace and progress of Nigeria is maintained.”
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“For 2023 appropriation, the sum of N32, 729, 171, 424 was proposed. The sum N15, 052, 063, 215 is for personnel cost. While N2, 211, 743, 819 is for overhead. The of N15, 465, 364, 390 if capital expenditure. The details being submitted for consideration is attached”, he said.
Similarly,the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Farouk Yahaya, also appeared before the Senate Committee on Army on Tuesday.
He disclosed recent developments in the Army and drew the attention of the committee to the force’s funding challenges.