Trending 
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), stated on Tuesday in Abuja that the current security challenges in Nigeria are not religious in nature, insisting that efforts are being made to tackle terrorism and all forms of violent extremism across the country.
He made this statement after a closed-door meeting with a United States Congressman and the country’s ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr.
The United States President, Donald Trump, in October, redesignated Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern’ in response to allegations of a Christian genocide in the country. He also warned the Nigerian government to curb the alleged attacks, or he would halt US aid and assistance to the country.
The AGF said the meeting offered Nigeria an opportunity to explain the realities surrounding terrorism and insecurity, which are often misrepresented. He expressed delight at the United States congressman’s visits to Nigeria to assess the current state of insecurity.
“This meeting is about the terrorism going on in the country and to afford us further opportunity to explain our own side of the story,” he said.
“I’m happy that they are also here to see things for themselves. What is important is to also apprise them that even though we have challenges in Nigeria, it is not religious.
We have security challenges, and the government is doing its utmost to ensure that these challenges are addressed.”
He emphasised that the Nigerian government is making efforts to curb insecurity. From 2017 to 2025, the government has secured 860 convictions and 891 acquittals.
He added that the acquittals demonstrate that Nigeria is not just detaining suspects,
“What this speaks to, particularly the issue of discharges of the defendants, is that we don’t just arrest people and then, you know, clamp them into prison. We follow due process. They are profiled,” he said.
Fagbemi also disclosed that the visiting US Congressman has met with several security and government agencies, as well as civil society and religious organisations, to get firsthand knowledge on the state of insecurity in the country.
“They have visited the office of the national security adviser. They have visited the office of the Chief of Defence Staff and a few other agencies. They have also met with some civil society organisations and religious forces,” he added.
He further urged the public to avoid exaggerating the security situation in the country.
“I want to tell you that things are not as heinous as people are portraying. I can assure you of that. We have problems in Nigeria. It is not a problem of religion.”
