Tinubu Administration Confirms Foreign Nationals Responsible for Recent Killings and Abductions
The federal government of Nigeria has officially identified the perpetrators behind the recent wave of mass killings and abductions plaguing the nation. In a significant disclosure on Sunday, February 22, government authorities confirmed that many of those responsible for these violent attacks are foreign nationals who have entered Nigeria through its porous borders.
Security Reports Reveal Non-Nigerian Attackers
George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, made this crucial revelation while addressing participants at the First Plenary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria. The event was held at St. Gabriel's Chaplaincy within the Catholic Secretariat in Abuja. Akume emphasized that insecurity represents a global challenge, affecting even advanced nations, but Nigeria faces specific threats from external actors.
"Many of these people who have been arrested don't speak English. They speak very poor Hausa, but they speak French. Do we speak French in Nigeria? No," Akume stated, citing concrete security intelligence. He acknowledged that while extremist groups like Boko Haram originated domestically, a substantial number of attackers currently operating in forests and rural areas, particularly in parts of Niger State, are from outside Nigeria's borders.
The SGF further elaborated that security reports clearly indicate foreign involvement in the violence. "Those who are doing the killings, most of them are from outside the country. I say what I know to be true based on security reports," he added with conviction.
International Cooperation and Military Procurement
Akume highlighted Nigeria's enhanced international security partnerships, referencing the country's recent designation as a Country of Particular Concern by the United States due to security and religious freedom issues. This designation has fostered greater cooperation between the two nations. "It is not that we are just sitting by; America is cooperating with Nigeria. We are working together," he affirmed.
The government official pointed to recent drone strikes in Sokoto State as evidence of ongoing security operations. Furthermore, he revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's recent visit to Turkey had a specific security objective: to procure additional military hardware, including advanced drones, to strengthen Nigeria's security architecture. "The main reason the President was in Turkey was to purchase more armaments. This includes drones. So we are not just sitting idle," Akume explained.
Clarification on Terrorist Reintegration Efforts
Addressing the controversial topic of reintegrating former Boko Haram members, Akume provided important context about previous administration attempts. He clarified that efforts to incorporate former terrorists into military structures began under the previous government but were ultimately halted due to significant resistance from various quarters.
"There were attempts to put them in the military, but that was resisted. That was not done," he stated plainly. The SGF urged all stakeholders, including religious leaders, to approach security challenges with comprehensive and objective perspectives, emphasizing the importance of factual security reporting in addressing the nation's security crisis.
Recent Military Successes Against Terrorism
In related security developments, Nigerian military forces have achieved significant successes against terrorist elements. Troops of Operation Hadin Kai recently eliminated twenty-nine Boko Haram terrorists during coordinated operations across Borno and Yobe States. These military actions took place in multiple locations including Lamusheri Village in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, as well as the Forward Operating Base in Limankara and Kukawa in Borno State, demonstrating ongoing counter-terrorism efforts across the northeastern region.
The government's disclosure represents a crucial step in understanding the complex security landscape facing Nigeria, highlighting both the external dimensions of the violence and the administration's multifaceted response strategy involving international partnerships, military procurement, and continued counter-terrorism operations.
