The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says if President Muhammadu Buhari had not acted decisively when he assumed office in 2015, the ISIS-backed terrorist group (ISWAP) would have established an Islamic caliphate in Nigeria.
Mohammed who said this on Wednesday at a press conference said Nigerians have forgotten what was obtainable before the coming of the present administration.
He said: “It is easy to forget where we are coming from. Today, we only look at the current situation, without wondering what would have been.
“In 2014, Boko Haram declared a Caliphate in Gwoza after capturing Bama and Gamboru as well as other towns and villages in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. They installed their own Emirs, collected taxes and flew their flag before the military dislodged them.
“With the way the insurgents were going before this Administration came into office, with their control of a vast swath of land the size of Belgium, with their freewheeling attacks in almost a dozen states, including the Federal Capital Territory which was hit at least five times, perhaps they could have achieved their aim.
“Since assuming office in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari has continued to make the issue of security a major plank of his Administration’s policy. This is not a surprise, considering the fact that the fight against insecurity is one of the three priority areas of the APC-led Federal Government.
“Yes, the security situation has continued to pose a great challenge, but amidst the cacophony of voices, some genuinely concerned about the situation and others ready to exploit it for selfish ends, it is easy to forget where we are coming from. Today, we only look at the current situation, without wondering what would have been had this President not taken the bull by the horns, as far as security is concerned.”