Soni Daniel, Editor Northern Region

The Nigerian Government on Wednesday claimed that the designation of Nigeria as a country of particular concern by the United States of America has inadvertently emboldened violent groups to attack soft targets in the country.

Although the Nigerian government did not directly link any of the recent attacks in the country to the U.S President’s claim on Christian genocide, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who addressed the issue at a news conference in his office, claimed that Nigerian had sufficiently degraded terrorism before the statement was made.

Akume, who dismissed the claim of Christian genocide as untenable in Nigeria, made it clear that no credible international institution has ever designated the Nigerian security crisis as genocide against Christians.

The SGF pointed out that while Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists attack both Muslims and Christians alike; bandits on their other hand target all communities without religious distinction for purely economic and ideological purposes.

For that reason and the fact that the current dispensation led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brings all Nigerians on board his administration irrespective of religious inclination, the SGF dismissed the U.S position as a misrepresentation of reality which all Nigerians should discard.

Akume said, “Nigeria rejects any characterisation of the conflict as genocide against Christians or any group. Verified evidence shows that insurgents and criminal networks attack both churches and mosques, killing Muslims and Christians alike. The Government remains committed to protecting all citizens and strengthening cooperation with international partners—especially the United States—to dismantle extremist and criminal networks.

“Nigeria is a secular state as guaranteed by various provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended. No state religion is adopted as a national religion and no citizen of Nigeria is above the Nigerian constitution.

“The appointment made by the present administration reflects the diversities of our nation and both Christians and Muslims and members of the Federal Exe4cutive Council (FEC) holding key position in equal proportion including the Nigerian security council, the body that deals with all security challenges in Nigeria.

“The current misrepresentation of the crisis as “genocide against Christians” fuels dangerous religious tensions, emboldens extremist and criminal factions seeking to exploit sectarian narratives, creates diplomatic frictions based on inaccurate interpretations, and undermines Nigeria’s longstanding efforts to build constructive international security partnerships.

But the SGF boasted that the Nigerian armed forces are highly capable, experienced and professional to defeat the terrorists, having reclaimed vast territories, degraded Boko Haram/ISWAP leadership structures, and conducted successful multi-theatre operations.

Akume insisted that Nigeria does not require foreign troops but targeted support from partners, especially the United States, in the areas of intelligence cooperation, technology and military equipment support for advanced engagement against the insurgents.

The top government official declared that Nigeria is ready to strengthen nationwide security operations and deepen intelligence-sharing with the United States and allies.

He also said the country will also intensify follow-the-money operations targeting illegal mining, trafficking, all other forms of transnational crimes in Nigeria as well as enhance rural security, border surveillance and governance.

Akume added, “As the United States remains the largest democracy in the world, and Nigeria, the largest democracy in Africa, modeled after the American system, our two nations share a historic responsibility to work together to promote global stability, strengthen democratic values especially in Africa, and confront extremist threats in Nigeria and other neighboring nations.

“Nigeria is committed to deepening our diplomatic ties and strategic partnership based on mutual respect and reciprocity,” the SGF stated.