Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says security agencies and political leaders are on top of the security developments in some South-West states.
Mohammed spoke on Monday at a press conference in Abuja while answering a question on the tension generated in the South- West over the notice to quit issued to herdsmen in forest reserves in Ondo State and the one issued to the Fulani in parts of Oyo State.
The minister, therefore, urged all stakeholders to “lower the temperature” in the affected states.
He also urged Nigerians to stop reading ethnic and religious meanings to issues that have to do with security.
Mohammed said, “Yes, we have challenges in the South-West, but I can assure you that they are being taken very good care of.
Both military and political leaders are on top of the matter.”
In warning stakeholders to be careful the way they handle the matter, the minister added, “I think my response to it is that we should please lower the temperature. We should stop politicising security matters. We should stop reading ethnicity or religion to purely security issues.
“And like I told you, as I speak now, efforts are being made to contain these issues and other issues.”
Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who was also present at the briefing spoke of government’s efforts to ensure that the nation’s borders were properly manned.
While answering a question on the nation’s porous borders, which had been aiding influx of suspected criminals into the country, Aregbesola said the government was committed to properly securing the borders.
He said apart from the regular patrols at the borders, electronic surveillance systems were also being installed.
“I admit that the best is yet to come as regards manning of our borders but we are working on the best,” he said.