The Federal Government of Nigeria has categorically rejected the recent designation of the country as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) by the U.S. government for alleged religious freedom violations, dismissing the “Christian genocide” narrative as a dangerous misrepresentation of Nigeria’s complex security reality.
In a comprehensive statement issued on Wednesday, Senator (Dr.) George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), emphasised that the insecurity afflicted both Muslims and Christians equally, and that the roots of the crisis were economic, ideological, and geopolitical.
● Insecurity Rooted in Geopolitics and Crime
The SGF provided a strategic overview, separating the crisis into two major fronts: the North-East Ideological Insurgency (Boko Haram/ISWAP) and the North-West Criminal Banditry.
He stressed that the persistence of violence was inseparable from the destabilisation that followed the 2011 collapse of the Libyan state.
On weapons proliferation, he noted that the collapse of the Libyan state allowed Al-Qaeda-aligned traffickers to loot and disperse heavy weapons across the Sahel, which entered Nigeria, strengthening Boko Haram, ISWAP, and later banditry networks.
SGF Akume emphasised that North-West banditry was “purely economic deterministic, and not religious factors,” driven by competition for grazing routes, cattle rustling, illegal mining of gold, kidnapping-for-ransom, and extortion of rural communities.
The SGF firmly refuted the “Christian genocide” labeling, stating that no credible international institution had ever classified the crisis as genocide against any group.
He warned that the current misrepresentation of the crisis “fuels dangerous religious tensions, emboldens extremist and criminal factions,” and undermined Nigeria’s efforts to build constructive international security partnerships.
The SGF said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was determined to end the security challenges.
Since assuming office, Nigeria’s security agencies have neutralized more than 13,500 terrorists and arrested over 17,000 suspects. It also rescued over 9,800 victims.
The government also highlighted the ongoing prosecution of high-profile terror suspects, including the alleged leaders of the Al-Qaeda affiliate, ANSARU, who were captured in July.
SGF Akume affirmed that Nigeria did not require foreign troops, but rather targeted support in intelligence cooperation, technology, and military equipment.
He concluded by appealing to all Nigerians, irrespective of their political or religious persuasions, to speak with one strong and united voice against the common enemy.
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