The Minister of Defence, Maj-Gen Bashir Magashi (Retd), says the ministry has been making move to verify the source of the security alert threat issued by the United States.

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria, on October 23, issued a security alert over the risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, especially in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Speaking on Wednesday when he appeared before the House of Representatives committee on Army to defend the 2023 budget proposal for the ministry, Magashi said the 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.

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The minister stated that security has been beefed up in Abuja and other neighboring states, Nasarawa and Niger.

“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,” Magashi said.

He said the Federal 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, however, urged the U.S. government to always provide such information to the ministry instead of going public to avoid causing confusion among the people.

Speaking, the Chairman, House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, said the House has embarked on enacting innovative legislation designed to strengthen the defence sector.

Benson further expressed satisfaction with the level of success recorded so far in the fight against insecurity in the last five months.

The Star