The federal government Monday said the travel advisory issued by the United States government create needless panic and undermines effort by the Tinubu led government to attract investment
“We understand the concerns raised by the United States government in their recent travel advisory, but believe that it is imperative that we do not generalize isolated incidents across the entire hospitality industry.
“What we have seen is that such advisories do not achieve anything other than needless panic, and they can have severe adverse economic impact, not to talk of what they do to undermine the government’s efforts to attract investment,’’ it said.
Minister of information and national orientation Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi who stated this during a dialogue with Editors in Abuja, said the federal government is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of all Nigerians and visitors.
“We have consistently prioritized the safety and well-being of all visitors to our country. We have implemented comprehensive security measures, both at the Federal and State levels, to ensure the safety of tourists and international guests.
“These measures include intense intelligence gathering, acquisition and deployment of additional platforms, training and re-training of personnel, cooperation with international law enforcement agencies, among others, to maintain a secure environment,” he said.
He said the government will continue to work towards maintaining a secure and hospitable environment for tourists and business travelers and the likes in the country.
The minister highlighted recent gains made by the military and other security agencies in the fight against terrorism, insurgency and other form of insecurity in the country.
He said; “Our security agencies have been very busy, doing their best to keep us all safe. In various parts of Kaduna State, seven bandits were neutralized, in various operations between the 1st and 3rd of November.
“In Kano State, on November 3, a joint operation by troops of the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services carried out a dawn raid operation on terrorists’ hideout in Gezawa Local Government Area, successfully averting an imminent attack on Kano by insurgents. The operation recovered AK 47 Rifles, AK 47 Rifle Magazines, a Rocket Propelled Gun (RPG), RPG Bombs, Hand Grenades, Improvised Explosive Device (IED)-making materials, among others.
“In Katsina, two NYSC members abducted by bandits were successfully rescued.
“In the North-East and North-West of the country, the Nigerian Air Force has been very busy, with several successful airstrikes on bandits’ and terrorists’ camps and hideouts in Katsina, Zamfara and Borno States.
“The Air Force has also recently taken delivery of 4 new aircraft, to strengthen the fight against banditry and terrorism.
“In our maritime environment, on October 25, the Eastern and Central Naval Commands flagged off a Joint Sea Exercise, Exercise SEA GUARDIAN 2023.”
