Former Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir has strongly criticized the United States government for advancing what he calls misleading allegations of a "Christian genocide" occurring in Nigeria. The ex-lawmaker, who represented Sokoto East, also faulted Nigeria's recent designation by the US as a Country of Particular Concern regarding religious freedom, labeling the move as inaccurate and damaging.
Call for Technology, Not False Narratives
In an exclusive interview in Sokoto, Gobir urged the US administration, particularly under President Donald Trump, to shift its focus. He appealed for the provision of advanced surveillance and combat technology to help Nigerian forces track and dismantle terrorist and bandit hideouts. He argued this practical support would be far more beneficial than amplifying narratives he insists are false.
"It is neither wise nor fair for the United States to be fed with false narratives suggesting that a Christian genocide is taking place in Nigeria," Gobir stated. He emphasized that the US should not be driven by wrong perceptions and recommended sending an independent fact-finding mission to assess the real situation on the ground.
Interfaith Reality Versus External Narratives
Gobir described the genocide claim as unacceptable, stating it does not reflect Nigeria's social fabric, where Muslims and Christians have a long history of peaceful coexistence. "In my own family, my stepmother-in-law is a Muslim married to a Christian," he revealed as a personal example. He pointed out that violence in the country does not discriminate by faith, saying, "Bombs do not discriminate between Muslims and Christians."
He cited his hometown, Sabon Birni in Sokoto State, which has endured repeated bandit attacks. Gobir noted that churches still operate in the area and that victims of abduction, irrespective of their religion, face ransom demands and exploitation from criminals. He warned that the spread of such misleading information by external actors could create unnecessary and dangerous tension within Nigeria.
Addressing Insecurity: Political Will and Tech Gaps
The former senator acknowledged that Nigeria possesses the manpower and resources to tackle its security challenges. However, he identified critical gaps in political will and access to modern technology as major constraints hindering progress. "With the right technologies and sustained international support, we would have been close to ending this menace and restoring peace," Gobir asserted.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his economic reforms and renewed efforts to combat insecurity, noting that the administration inherited these deep-seated problems. Conversely, Gobir was critical of the immediate past government, accusing it of inadequate handling of the security crisis. He argued that stronger, more practical measures earlier could have significantly reduced the current scale of banditry and terrorism.
Gobir expressed confidence in President Tinubu's commitment to restoring security and ensuring terrorists and bandits are held accountable. "Those threatening innocent citizens must be made to pay the price of their crimes," he concluded firmly.
