Nigeria Rejects US ‘Country Of Concern’ Tag, Cites Major Gains Against Terrorism
Nigeria has dismissed the recent decision by the United States government to designate it as a “country of particular concern” over alleged violations of religious freedom, describing the move as misinformed and unfairly judgmental.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the Federal Government had taken note of Washington’s position but maintained that the claim misrepresented Nigeria’s complex security realities.
Idris said Nigeria’s security challenges, rooted in terrorism and violent extremism since 2009, had affected both Christians and Muslims without discrimination.
He stressed that “extremism is blind to religion, tribe, or class,” and that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration was committed to ending insecurity nationwide.
The minister revealed that since May 2023, security agencies have neutralised over 13,500 terrorists, arrested more than 17,000 suspects, and rescued about 9,800 abducted victims, including women and children.
He also cited the ongoing prosecution of top terror suspects, including those linked to the Owo church attack and the Yelwata massacre in Benue State, as evidence of Nigeria’s commitment to justice.
Idris noted that President Tinubu’s recent overhaul of the security architecture, including the appointment of new Service Chiefs and increased defence spending, had injected “fresh energy and accountability” into the fight against terrorism.
He added that terrorist attacks had dropped to their lowest level in over a decade, according to the Global Terrorism Index.
While calling for greater understanding from the international community, the minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s willingness to deepen cooperation with the United States and other partners in combating terrorism.
He highlighted that collaboration between both nations had already yielded results, including the delivery of Super Tucano aircraft and the planned acquisition of AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters for the Nigerian Air Force.
Idris concluded by assuring Nigerians that the Tinubu administration remains steadfast in safeguarding lives and freedoms, saying:
“Nigeria stands firmly on the constitutional guarantees of liberty and freedom of religion. We urge our partners to approach our realities with fairness, trust, and mutual respect.”
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