The Federal Government has said that a significant number of individuals responsible for violent attacks and killings across Nigeria are foreign nationals who infiltrated the country through its porous borders.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, made the disclosure while addressing participants at the First Plenary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, held at St. Gabriel’s Chaplaincy, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja.
Akume acknowledged that insecurity remains a pressing concern but stressed that the challenge is not peculiar to Nigeria, noting that even developed nations are grappling with similar threats.
According to him, security reports indicate that many suspects apprehended in connection with recent attacks are not Nigerians.
He claimed that several of those arrested neither speak English nor fluent Hausa but communicate largely in French, suggesting foreign origins.
While admitting that extremist groups such as Boko Haram emerged within Nigeria, the SGF maintained that many of the armed actors currently operating in forests and rural communities, especially in parts of Niger State and other affected areas, are from outside the country.
He added that the wave of violence predates the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that the present government is actively working to address the crisis.
Reacting to Nigeria’s recent designation by the United States as a Country of Particular Concern over security and religious freedom issues, Akume said the development had fostered stronger collaboration between Nigeria and the US in combating insecurity.
He cited recent drone operations in Sokoto State as evidence of intensified security efforts and revealed that Tinubu’s recent visit to Turkey was partly aimed at procuring additional military equipment, including drones and other advanced weapons, to bolster the country’s defence capabilities.
On the controversial proposal to reintegrate repentant insurgents, Akume clarified that such initiatives were conceived during the previous administration but did not materialise, especially proposals to absorb former fighters into the military, which he said were resisted and ultimately shelved.
He urged religious leaders and other stakeholders to approach the security situation with a comprehensive understanding of its complexities, assuring that government decisions are guided by security intelligence and national interest.
