The government argues that such an advisory has the potential to incite unnecessary panic and adversely impact the country's economy.
On November 3, the US cautioned its citizens in Nigeria about "elevated threats" concerning major hotels in the "larger cities" of the nation. Though the advisory also pointed out that the Nigerian security agencies are actively putting measures in place to address these threats.
During a briefing with editors in Abuja, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, noted that such an advisory could undermine the government's continuous efforts to attract investors to Nigeria. He stressed that the government has consistently prioritized the safety and well-being of all visitors to Nigeria.
“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.
On post oil subsidy removal economic interventions, Idris said the present administration provided some palliatives in short, medium and long terms to help cushion the effects of the subsidy removal.
He said government provided a wage increment of N35,000 monthly for six months to enhance federal minimum wage, without causing undue inflation.
He said the government had also launched a N100 billion CNG bus rollout programme, to deliver CNG-powered buses, and established a presidential committee to drive implementation.
According to him, the government is finalizing the process for payment of a cash transfer of N25,000 monthly to 15 million of the poorest and most vulnerable households in Nigeria for three months.
He said a presidential directive for the release of 200,000 Metric Tonnes of grains from strategic reserves to households across the 36 states and the FCT to moderate prices was in force, adding that 225,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer, seedlings and other inputs to farmers were amongst measures to curb the sufferings of Nigerians.
