The Federal Government will henceforth consider incidents of destruction of public assets and facilities as a terrorist act, Checkout Magazine learnt.
Such infractions will attract dire sanctions, including a possible death sentence, the government added.
The Federal Government made this public on Monday at a Town Hall meeting – the 19th by the Federal Government – in Abuja. Its theme was Protection of Public Infrastructure.
Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed, was joined at the meeting by Works and Housing Minister Babatunde Fashola, Transport Minister Chibuike Amaechi, Federal Capital Territory Minister Mohammed Bello and Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika.
The Information minister listed the assets being wantonly destroyed as including police stations and equipment; burning of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices and facilities; removing of rail tracks, bridge railing and aviation infrastructure.
The minister promised firm actions against people involved in the “alarming” activities which threaten national security.
Mohammed said: “Today’s town hall meeting is both urgent and important because it touches on an issue that is at the very core of economic growth and national development, which is public infrastructure.
“When public infrastructure is being targeted for destruction by some unpatriotic Nigerians, it calls for great concern and immediate action, hence our decision to organise this town hall meeting”
