The Federal Government has said that many terrorists behind recent deadly attacks across Nigeria are foreign nationals who entered the country through porous borders.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, made the claim on Sunday at the First Plenary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) held at St. Gabriel’s Chaplaincy, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja.
Akume admitted that insecurity remains a major national concern but argued that the challenge is global in scope.
“Insecurity is a problem not only in this country but throughout the world. Even advanced countries are going through this,” he said.
Describing the wave of killings as tragic, he noted that the security crisis predates the current administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Relying on intelligence briefings, the SGF stated that several suspects apprehended in connection with attacks are not Nigerians.
“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,” he stated.
While acknowledging that extremist groups such as Boko Haram originated in Nigeria, Akume maintained that many of those currently carrying out attacks in forests and rural communities — particularly in parts of Niger State and other affected areas — are foreign elements.
“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,” Akume added.
He also addressed Nigeria’s recent designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over security and religious freedom issues, saying the development has strengthened international cooperation, especially with the United States.
Akume cited recent drone operations in Sokoto as part of ongoing security measures and revealed that President Tinubu’s recent trip to Turkey was partly to procure additional military hardware.
“The main reason the President was in Turkey was to purchase more armaments. This includes drones. So we are not just sitting idle,” he said.
On the debate surrounding the reintegration of former insurgents, Akume explained that attempts to integrate Boko Haram members into the military were initiated under a previous administration but faced resistance and did not proceed.
“There were attempts to put them in the military, but that was resisted. That was not done,” he explained.
He urged religious leaders and stakeholders to assess the security situation with objectivity and an understanding of its complexity, noting that government actions are informed by intelligence reports.
“You will have your own session and dissect whatever we say. But let me say what I have as a security report,” he told the gathering.
