In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, clarified this.

The notion that members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were facing harsher security measures was dismissed by the minister as misleading and false.

He insisted that the Federal Government would continue to take all necessary steps, including the use of military force, to prevent criminal groups from undermining the country’s territorial integrity and peace.

“We’ve noticed that there’s been a lot of misinformation recently about how the federal government, particularly the military, is dealing with the issue of banditry and terrorism.

“There is a perception that the Federal Government is gentler on terrorists in the North East and bandits in the North West because of how they deal with separatists and other criminals in the South East and South West.

“I want to say without any hesitation that this is a fallacy. It is a misrepresentation, misinformation and fake news all rolled into one.

“The truth of the matter is that the Federal Government does not make a distinction between terrorists and bandits.

” As far as the Federal Government is concerned they are all criminals and they are treated the same way.

“It is very important to set the record straight. Why do I say this? Because, it is a continuation of the destructive rhetoric of some commentators,’’ he said.

The minister further said that the issue of security of the country should not be politicized because of its sensitive nature.

He said: “The issue of security must not be politicized. Security is security. Bandits kill soldiers; they kill policemen and innocent people.

” So, why will the military be softer on one set of criminals than the other?

The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing the continuing peace process across the country while also combating bandits, kidnappers, and other crime syndicates.