The Federal Government has restated its commitment to working with the United States and other international partners to eradicate terrorism in Nigeria, insisting the country is recording significant progress in the fight against violent extremism.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known on Wednesday in Abuja while reacting to the recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) by the U.S. over alleged violations of religious freedom.
Idris described the designation as a product of misinformation, stressing that terrorism in Nigeria is not driven by religious or ethnic motives.
“Nigeria has faced security challenges that have affected both Christians and Muslims. Extremism is blind to religion or tribe. Any claim that government is negligent in addressing religious attacks is based on faulty assumptions,” he said.
The Minister said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown strong resolve in tackling insecurity, noting that since May 2023, security forces have neutralised over 13,500 terrorists, arrested more than 17,000 suspects, and rescued about 9,800 abducted persons. He added that over 124,000 insurgents and their families have surrendered and major terror leaders have been eliminated.
He further disclosed that terror attacks in the South-East have reduced by nearly 80 per cent following coordinated operations, while efforts are ongoing to stabilise the North-Central, where clashes are fuelled by resource pressures and climate-related challenges.
Idris pointed to recent defence reforms and international military cooperation, including U.S.-supplied Super Tucano aircraft and the ongoing acquisition of AH-1Z Viper helicopters, as evidence of strengthened capacity.
Calling for constructive engagement, he urged the U.S. to consider the complex security environment influenced by instability in the Sahel and arms proliferation after the collapse of Libya.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to protecting constitutional freedoms, including religious liberty.
“The government will not relent until terrorism is completely rooted out. Nigeria is in steady hands under President Tinubu,” he added.
Cr- Nigerian Tribune