The Federal Government has accused some
youths in the country of encouraging terrorist
activities on social media.
In a statement posted on Twitter, the Minister
of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, said
the government was aware that some young
Nigerians were on the verge of becoming
“broadcast agents” of the violent Islamic sect
known as the Boko Haram.
Obanikoro urged the youths not to
sensationalise acts of evil and terror
committed by the sect against harmless
citizens on social media.
The minister warned that posting pictures and
stories of terrorist attacks on social media
would not only instil fear in the minds of the
people but encourage extremists to continue
to unleash terror on the society.
He said, “The more you think about a
threat or talk about it, the more worried
you and the people around you will
become. Don’t spread gory stories in the
news and on the Internet. Terrorists love
it when we sensationalise their acts of
cowardice.
“We must not succumb to fear.
Terrorism is the art of provoking terror
and paranoia after every attack motivates
terrorists. Be informed, yes, but don’t
become a broadcast agent for alarmism,
speculation, uncertainty and the
grotesque. Citizens, world over, support
their governments to fight terrorists.
Nigerian citizens must not be an
exception,” he said.
Obanikoro told the youth not to expect “quick
results” from government in the ongoing war
against terrorism.
- Punch
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