Terror Alert: No Smoke Without Fire — Defence Minister Tells Lawmakers

The Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi has said the government is taking precautionary measures against the terror alert issued by the United States government, noting that there is no smoke without fire.

Magashi said this on Tuesday during the budget defence organized by the House of Representatives committee on Defence.

The minister, while responding to questions by the lawmakers on the terror alert, said the matter was discussed on Monday during the security meeting convened by President Muhammadu Buhari.

It would be recalled that the US had issued a terror alert that there is a potential security threat against the capital city, Abuja.

Several other countries have also issued similar alerts, however, the Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed, and the National Security Adviser, Babangana Monguno lambasted the US and others for the alert.

In his speech, Magashi said the government is dealing with the matter, adding that the Minister of Foreign Affairs is speaking with the representatives of those countries to ensure appropriate actions are taken.

“If you remember that the security council met and we discussed this threat. We resolved that we will not take it lightly. The best part way to go about it is to beef up security in Abuja and surrounding states. We believe that there is no smoke without fire. What we need is to be extra vigilant to the situation,” he said.

The Chairman of the Committee, Babajimi Benson from Lagos State, urged the military to do everything to protect Nigerians.