…Warns against misinformation
Their purpose is to instill fear, weaken public confidence, and give the illusion of being everywhere at once. Nigeria must reject this tactic.”
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has urged Nigerians to remain steadfast and united in the face of escalating terrorist and bandit attacks across several states, warning that fear and misinformation could worsen the country’s security challenges.
Abbas made the ccall on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, during a special plenary session dedicated to national security at the House chamber. The lawmakers had earlier suspended all other items on the Order Paper.
The session was attended by officials of the United States Embassy, the Speaker of the Parliament of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Rt. Hon. Lanien Blanchette, cabinet ministers, and representatives of civil society groups.
Addressing the chamber, the Speaker described the surge in attacks as a “deeply troubling escalation” deliberately designed by violent groups to destabilise Nigeria, create fear, and project a false sense of omnipresence.
“Their purpose is to instill fear, weaken public confidence, and give the illusion of being everywhere at once. Nigeria must reject this tactic,” he said.
Abbas also raised concern over the parallel spread of misinformation, fake images, and unverified claims, particularly across social media, warning that such content heightens tension and undermines security operations.
He urged citizens and lawmakers to rely on verified information from official sources to avoid inflaming an already fragile situation.
The Speaker commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as decisive and hands-on leadership in responding to the recent wave of attacks, while noting the President’s directive to security agencies, his decision to postpone a scheduled trip to the G20 Summit in South Africa, and the withdrawal of police officers from VIP protection for redeployment to frontline duty.
According to him, these actions contributed to the swift rescue of abducted worshippers in Kwara State and the recovery of students kidnapped in Niger State. “His leadership thus far reflects both political responsibility and moral urgency,” Abbas said.
He added that ongoing reforms within the security architecture are yielding results, citing the freeing of thousands of captives, the elimination of high-ranking commanders of violent groups, and the return of millions of displaced persons to their communities. He also noted a measurable decline in certain categories of mass abductions.
The Speaker paid tribute to members of the armed forces and security agencies who “serve under exceptionally difficult conditions,” acknowledging those who lost their lives in the line of duty. He led lawmakers and guests in observing a minute of silence in their honour.
Abbas reaffirmed the House’s commitment to supporting all lawful operations aimed at restoring peace, stressing that the country’s insecurity involves domestic and transnational factors that demand an integrated response. He urged political leaders to rise above partisanship and speak with one voice during moments of national crisis.
“The debate must reinforce our commitment to the safety of every citizen and support the efforts of the President and the Executive,” he said.