Bello Matawalle, the minister of state for defence, has advised groups and individuals seeking to foment trouble to steer clear of Nigeria in their own interest.
He gave the warning on Friday in Port Harcourt at the flag-off ceremony of this year’s Chief of Naval Staff annual sea inspection exercise.
“I want to warn groups or individuals promoting violence by propagating fake news or hate propaganda, to desist from such.
“The Federal Government will not accept any action or behaviour that could cause a threat to peaceful co-existence among law-abiding citizens,” he said.
The minister, who was responding to the high rate of fake news, hate speech and rumour-mongering aimed at causing disaffection, directed security chiefs to be on alert and deal with anyone caught.
“The nation is in a democracy. Any act capable of truncating it will not be condoned,” he declared.
He directed security agencies to ensure total compliance with the provisions of the constitution of Nigeria at all…