The Federal Government on Wednesday attributed the renewed wave of violent attacks, including the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and a deadly assault on worshippers in Eruku, Kwara, to recent statements made by the United States, as anger spread across the country.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said posts by US President Donald Trump alleging a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria and threatening possible American military intervention had “inadvertently emboldened opportunistic violent groups” that now seek to justify attacks using international rhetoric.
“Recent pronouncements from the United States have inadvertently emboldened opportunistic violent groups seeking to exploit international narratives and make bold statements by attacking soft targets,” Akume said.
He noted that before Trump’s comments, insurgent operations had been significantly weakened, leaving only isolated banditry.
“This resurgence underscores the vital need for collaboration, not public labelling,” he added.
Between October 30 and November 1, Trump announced the redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and warned he could deploy US forces if Nigeria failed to stop alleged killings of Christians.
He also said he had instructed the “Department of War” to prepare for possible action and threatened to suspend US assistance.
Akume reiterated that Nigeria does not require foreign troops, stressing that the Armed Forces have reclaimed territory, degraded Boko Haram and ISWAP leadership, and carried out successful operations.
What Nigeria needs, he said, is targeted support, especially intelligence, technology, and equipment.
He also rejected any framing of Nigeria’s conflict as a “Christian genocide,” stating that verified evidence shows insurgents attack both churches and mosques, killing Muslims and Christians.
The Kebbi attack occurred early Monday at Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu LGA.
Bandits killed the Vice Principal, Hassan Makuku, who reportedly attempted to shield students, and abducted dozens of schoolgirls.
The Kebbi Police Command confirmed 24 students were taken.
State officials later clarified that 26 girls were abducted, but two, Salma and Hauwa’u Liman, escaped and have been reunited with their families.
In Kwara, gunmen attacked Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, in Eruku on Tuesday night while a live-streamed service was underway.
At least two worshippers were killed and around 35 abducted, according to police and eyewitnesses.
A viral video captured churchgoers scrambling for safety as gunmen fired into the building before fleeing into the bushes.
Security forces and local vigilantes have since launched a manhunt.
President Bola Tinubu postponed his travel to the G20 Summit in South Africa and the AU–EU Summit in Angola to receive direct updates on the Kebbi and Kwara incidents.
He ordered increased security deployment and directed the police to pursue the attackers aggressively.
Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq visited Eruku on Wednesday, announcing plans to seek a Nigerian Army Forward Operating Base and a Mobile Police Squadron in the community.
He accused police personnel in the area of failing to respond during the attack, even alleging they fired tear gas at vigilantes and residents who tried to pursue the fleeing bandits.
Local youths also accused the police of negligence, insisting they had supported the division, including building houses for officers, yet received no help when the community was under attack.
Protesters later barricaded the Ilorin–Kabba highway, leaving vehicles stranded.
The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), led by the Sultan of Sokoto, condemned the Kebbi abduction as “one tragedy too many,” likening the pattern to previous mass abductions in Chibok, Dapchi, Kankara, and Kagara.
The group faulted poor surveillance around vulnerable schools and criticised weak coordination among security agencies.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) warned that the “Christian genocide” narrative, once dismissed, was now becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy due to the government’s refusal to confront the roots of insecurity.
Former Kano governor and 2023 presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso condemned the escalating crisis, calling recent killings and kidnappings, including that of Brigadier General Musa Uba in Borno, evidence of serious intelligence failures.
Former Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi criticised the federal government’s “lack of political will,” accusing it of issuing hollow statements instead of taking decisive action.
The Nigeria Labour Congress expressed sorrow over the Kebbi abductions and warned that the ease with which bandits struck, despite existing security measures, suggests “something more worrying.”
Prominent activists and entertainers, including Omoyele Sowore, Falz, Inibehe Effiong, Debo Macaroni, Femi Adebayo, and Simi, also lambasted the government.
Many called for Tinubu’s resignation, accusing the administration of failing to protect citizens.
Falz and other public figures resurfaced Tinubu’s past criticism of former President Goodluck Jonathan, urging him to apply the same standard to himself.
Simi lamented that Nigeria has become a place where tragedies repeat while authorities remain unmoved:
“‘Sorry’ is not enough. Never has been.”
