We are verifying source of security threat alert by U.S. – Defence Minister
The Minister of Defence, Retired Maj-Gen Bashir Magashi, has said that the Ministry is trying to verify the source of the security threat alert issued by the U.S.
Magashi said this when he appeared before the House of Representatives committee on Army to defend the 2023 budget proposal for the ministry.
It could be recalled that Neptune Prime reported that the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria issued a security alert last week over the risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, especially in the Federal Capital Territory.
READ ALSO: US embassy issues security alert in Abuja
The minister said the defence ministry would not take the threat lightly.
”The ministry is trying to verify the source of the threat as well as countries that are also interested in the remarks made by the U.S. government,” he said.
He promised not to take the current security alert threat lightly, saying security in Abuja is being beefed up in the FCT and other neighbouring states of Nasarawa and Niger.
READ ALSO: Abuja witnesses massive presence of security personnel over terror alert
“We believe that there is no smoke without fire and in that regard, we were able to subject the details to our intelligence organisations and they have provided answers to those areas which the government demands,” he said.
Magashi said the government realised that what it needed was to be extra vigilant to prevent any activities of bandits and where the threat was likely to come so that it could be neutralised.
The minister urged the U.S. government to always provide such information to the ministry instead of going public to avoid causing confusion among the people.
Rep. Babajimi Benson, the Chairman, House Committee on Defence, said the house has embarked on enacting innovative legislation designs to strengthen the defence sector.
He expressed satisfaction with the level of success recorded so far in the fight against insecurity in the last five months.
This according to him is proof of the level of professionalism displayed by the military, while assuring that adequate funds would be allocated to the defence sector in the 2023 budget.
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