The federal government has vowed to crush unknown gunmen launching deadly attacks on the nation’s security personnel and facilities.

The information minister Lai Mohammed said this on Tuesday in Lagos at a meeting with online publishers.

He said the gunmen’s continued attacks on security forces were a declaration of war against Nigeria.

“Soldiers, as well as the police, customs, and other security agents, have been killed and maimed in some parts of the country in this growing trend of targeting security forces.

“I want to say unequivocally that any attack on our security men and women is an attack on the state and a declaration of war against the nation. It follows, therefore, that this will be countered with overwhelming force,” he said.

He added, “When those whose responsibility it is to protect us are themselves being subjected to mindless attacks, it can only be for one reason. To instil fear and evoke a sense of pervasive insecurity among the people.

“Whether known or unknown gunmen, those engaging in this dastardly act will pay dearly for their actions.”

Mr Mohammed added that the security challenges confronting the nation were systemic.

On April 8, the minister organised a town hall meeting on national security in Kaduna, which came up with a 10-point agenda.

Mr Mohammed said the recommendations from the meeting included political restructuring instead of separation, qualitative and compulsory primary education for all children of school age.

He said the meeting also resolved on state police, expansion, retraining of military, police, and security agencies, and providing them with modern equipment.

It also recommended that ranches, the government should establish grazing reserves with modern amenities to check the trans-humans of the herders and farmers-herdsmen clashes.

The minister said he had taken the resolutions to the National Economic Council for considerations.

(NAN)