Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has faced strong backlash for comments made about Nigeria's security situation, which a prominent diaspora group has labelled as deeply insensitive.
Controversial Statement at Imo Summit
The controversy stems from a keynote address delivered by Johnson at the Imo State Economic Summit 2025, hosted by Governor Hope Uzodimma. Speaking in Owerri last week, the former UK leader stated, "I feel perfectly safe in Nigeria," directly dismissing numerous negative security reports that had circulated prior to his visit.
This declaration has not been received well, particularly by those who argue it trivialises the daily realities of many Nigerians living in volatile regions.
Strong Rebuttal from AVID
The American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) issued a swift and stern response, expressing profound disappointment. In a statement signed by its President, Chief Sylvester Onyia, the group described Johnson's comment as a disregard for victims of insecurity across the nation.
AVID posed a direct challenge to the former Prime Minister: to travel by road without the protection of security escorts across various Nigerian states before making such sweeping assessments. The group highlighted two specific incidents to counter Johnson's assertion of safety:
- Just 48 hours before Johnson's speech in Owerri, bandits reportedly abducted 18 passengers around the Imo-Abia border community.
- A few hours before the summit, the advance team of Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, travelling to the Owerri airport, was said to have come under attack.
"If indeed the South East is as peaceful as Johnson claims, how come Gov. Alex Otti’s Advance Team was attacked two days before that day?" the AVID statement questioned pointedly.
Contradicting Official Advisories and a Daunting Challenge
The diaspora organisation further criticised Johnson for contradicting the official United Kingdom travel advisory on Nigeria, as well as assessments by the United States government concerning rising insecurity and violence in parts of the country.
AVID argued that such remarks from a high-profile international figure undermine the traumatic experiences of countless Nigerians who have lost family and friends to violent attacks. To underscore their point, the group suggested that if Johnson genuinely believes Nigeria is safe, he should attempt a land trip from Imo State to Borno State—a journey through some of the nation's most security-challenged regions.
The reaction underscores the significant gap between the perception of security for high-profile visitors with heavy protection and the lived experience of ordinary citizens navigating complex security threats.
