The Nigerian Federal Government has issued a strong warning against recent statements from the United States about the country's security situation, claiming they are empowering violent extremist groups and distorting the actual security landscape.
Misrepresentation Fuels Conflict
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, directly dismissed claims of Christian genocide in Nigeria during a detailed address in Abuja. He emphasized that the ongoing insurgency and banditry activities are primarily driven by economic factors rather than religious motivations.
Extremist factions are already exploiting Washington's narratives to stage fresh attacks on soft targets, according to Akume's assessment of the current security challenge.
Economic Roots of Violence
Addressing the evolution of violent extremism in Nigeria, Akume provided crucial context about Boko Haram, ISWAP, and banditry operations. He revealed that economic motives, not religion, initially propelled the conflict and continue to be the main driving force.
The SGF specifically referenced the North-West region, where credible analyses point to competition for land and water resources, cattle rustling, illegal mining operations, kidnapping-for-ransom schemes, and rural extortion as the primary drivers behind persistent violence.
He cited the Yelewata attack in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, where over 100 people were killed between June 13 and 14, as evidence that these economic pressures, rather than religious motives, explain the persistence of violence.
Constitutional Framework and Diversity
Akume reminded international partners that Nigeria operates as a secular state whose constitution explicitly prohibits adopting any religion as a national faith. He highlighted President Bola Tinubu's appointments as reflecting the nation's diversity, with equal representation of Christians and Muslims in both the Federal Executive Council and the National Security Council.
The current misrepresentation of the crisis as 'genocide against Christians' fuels religious tension, emboldens extremist and criminal factions seeking to exploit sectarian narratives, creates diplomatic friction, and undermines Nigeria's longstanding efforts to build constructive international security partnerships, Akume stated.
He noted that Boko Haram and ISWAP have attacked both churches and mosques indiscriminately, killing Christians, Muslims, and traditionalists alike, while bandits in the North-West operate based on economic calculations rather than religious ideology.
Call for Strategic Partnership
The SGF reaffirmed that the Nigerian Armed Forces have successfully reclaimed territories once occupied by insurgents before the latest wave of foreign commentary. He stressed that Nigeria does not require foreign troops but needs targeted intelligence sharing, advanced surveillance technology, and modern equipment from international partners like the United States.
Akume urged Nigerians across political, ethnic, and religious divides to unite against terrorism and banditry, emphasizing that collective national resolve is crucial to eradicating violent groups from the country's borders.
Despite the current disagreements, the Federal Government restated its commitment to strengthening ties with the United States based on mutual respect and shared democratic values. A high-level government delegation including federal lawmakers and senior military officials is scheduled to visit the United States to engage Congress directly about the genocide allegations.
The SGF also highlighted regional security factors, noting that the fallout from the 2011 Libyan collapse and instability in Egypt opened corridors for extremist groups. Weapons flowing through Al-Qaeda-linked AQIM routes into the Sahel and Nigeria significantly boosted the operational capacities of Boko Haram, ISWAP, and later, armed banditry networks.
