Attacks: Bandits now working with Boko Haram ― FG

Lai Mohammed

The Federal Government on Wednesday blamed the recent Abuja-Kaduna train attack on what it called an unholy handshake between Boko Haram and bandits.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, made the declaration while briefing correspondents at the end of the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President Muhammudu Buhari.

He said that although security agencies are still working hard to unveil the group behind the attack, the preliminary report shows that the criminals’ groups are in collaboration.

He, therefore, appealed to Nigerians to also collaborate with the government to smoke the criminals out.

Mohammed said: “What is happening now is that there is a kind of an unholy handshake between bandits and Boko Haram insurgents.

“Preliminary reports of what transpired at the Kaduna train attacks show that there is a kind of collaboration between the bandits and the dislodged Boko Haram terrorists from the northeast. I can tell you very confidently that the Federal Government is on top of this matter.

Also addressing the 72 hours ultimatum by families of victims of the train attack to secure their release or take their fate into their hands, the Information Minister stated: “I think the Honorable Minister of Defense has already addressed the issues.

“One, that what the federal government is doing won’t be the subject matter of a press conference, because we have lives at stake. And that the various arms of security are working night and day to unravel the mystery surrounding the attack as a whole.

“On the kidnapped people, what I can assure you is that the respective arms of government actually engaged as we speak, are working to get those victims released.

“It’s natural for anybody who is a father or a mother of a kidnap person to be worried and to be concerned. But at the level of government, we appreciate that and we are leaving no stone unturned.

“But that we’ll give you specific steps we’re taking I think it will be counterproductive and not going to aid or help those who are kidnapped or help the security forces who are tracing and ensuring that there’ll be no repeat of such attacks.”

Also speaking at the press briefing, the Minister of Defense, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd) assured us that the Federal Government government is on top of the matter.

In a response to a question, Magashi noted: “Honestly, I think the security chiefs are working hard to unveil those that are involved, and we will tell you very soon those that are carrying out these attacks. Both attacks in Jos and Kaduna.

“We will come and explain to the public what is really going on and our efforts to ensure that all these activities are stopped once and for all. We are really on top of the situation, we are planning hard and we will get it out as soon as possible.”

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