FG Launches #UniteAgainstTerror Campaign, Calls for National Solidarity Against Terrorism

By: Zagazola Makama

The Federal Government has called on Nigerians, the media, civil society organisations and security agencies to forge a united front against terrorism and violent extremism, describing national unity as critical to defeating threats to peace and security.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the call on Thursday during a National Press Briefing in Abuja.

Idris said the fight against terrorism required a collective response that transcended political, ethnic, religious and regional divides.

“The Federal Government is rallying citizens, the media and security agencies in a united front against terrorism because an attack against one Nigerian is an attack against all Nigerians. Terrorism has no tribe, no religion and no political affiliation. Its only purpose is destruction,” he said.

According to the minister, the #UniteAgainstTerror campaign is designed to mobilise citizens to reject violent extremism and support ongoing efforts to restore peace and security across the country.

He assured Nigerians that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained committed to securing the safe return of schoolchildren and teachers recently abducted in separate incidents in Oyo and Borno states.

Idris said security agencies had intensified intelligence gathering, surveillance operations and coordinated rescue missions under the direct instruction of the President to ensure the victims’ safe return and bring those responsible to justice.

Highlighting recent security gains, the minister said troops under Operation Hadin Kai had continued to neutralise terrorists, rescue civilians and destroy terrorist infrastructure in the North-East.

He added that recent military operations in Borno had led to the elimination of more than 50 terrorists, while several high-value targets had been neutralised through coordinated security actions.

The minister also said security operations across the North-West, North-Central, South-East and South-South had resulted in the dismantling of criminal camps, disruption of kidnapping networks and improved protection of critical national assets.

According to him, the government’s counter-terrorism strategy was yielding results due to improved inter-agency cooperation, intelligence sharing, enhanced surveillance capabilities and stronger international partnerships.

“What distinguishes our current approach is the combination of military pressure, intelligence-led operations, technology, regional cooperation and community engagement. This comprehensive strategy is steadily degrading the operational capacity of terrorist and criminal groups,” he said.

The minister also cited recent judicial successes in the fight against terrorism, including convictions secured against perpetrators of the June 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church.

He noted that hundreds of terrorism suspects were currently undergoing trial as part of what he described as one of the largest terrorism prosecution exercises in the country’s history.

“Justice is an essential pillar of national security. Beyond military operations, the government is ensuring that those involved in acts of terrorism face the full weight of the law,” he said.

Idris urged journalists to maintain professionalism and restraint in reporting terrorism-related incidents, warning that extremist groups often seek publicity and psychological impact through their actions.

He also appealed to citizens to remain vigilant, provide security agencies with credible information and reject divisive narratives that could undermine national cohesion.

The minister reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting lives and property and expressed confidence that Nigeria would overcome the challenge of terrorism through collective action and sustained security operations.

The briefing was attended by senior government officials, security representatives and presidential aides, including the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Binyerem C. Ukaire, and representatives of the Nigeria Police Force and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.