The Federal Government on Wednesday strongly pushed back against the narratives coming out of the United States as public outrage continued to rise over the renewed terror attacks across the country, including the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the shocking assault on worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State. Government officials said those incidents did not happen in isolation and that the wave of violent attacks followed directly after a series of controversial remarks made by United States President Donald Trump. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said the government had taken a deeper look at the pattern of the violence and reached a troubling conclusion—Trump’s recent comments about “Christian genocide” in Nigeria had emboldened opportunistic violent groups eager to exploit global attention and justify their crimes.
Akume said the government noticed a spike in daring attacks shortly after Trump claimed that Christians in Nigeria faced extermination and threatened to deploy American forces. He said terrorists and violent non-state actors often study international reactions and use them to frame their own propaganda. When the American president labels Nigeria a global hotspot for religious persecution and publicly threatens military intervention, extremist groups interpret such statements as fuel for their twisted narratives. According to him, these groups want relevance, visibility, and fear. They want the world to believe the country sits on the brink of chaos and that they possess the power to shake governments and attract attention from global actors.
He said on Wednesday that these groups look for opportunities to strike at vulnerable civilians so they can create a spectacle that fits the international narrative. He explained that longstanding insurgency structures had weakened significantly over the last two years, leaving mostly scattered pockets of banditry. Many of the major networks had lost strength due to coordinated military campaigns across the Northeast, North-West, and North-Central regions. He noted that until the recent foreign commentary, security forces had recorded major gains. Troops reclaimed communities, dismantled terror hubs, and disrupted flow channels that groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP once used. Akume said the situation only began to shift when the rhetoric from abroad changed.
In late October and early November 2025, Trump released a string of posts on X, tagging Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” while alleging a systematic Christian genocide. In those posts, he accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians and then claimed he had already instructed what he called the “Department of War” to prepare for “possible action.” Trump warned that the United States might suspend all forms of assistance to Nigeria and that he would consider deploying American troops if the killings did not stop. He went further by describing a potential military operation as “fast, vicious, and sweet.”
Those remarks dominated international media. Religious groups in America circulated the claims widely. Many conservative groups applauded his stance. But in Nigeria, the statements sparked fear, anger, and political tension. Local analysts said the language Trump used echoed older patterns where foreign commentary about instability triggers reactions from violent groups that want to insert themselves into the global conversation.
Akume said insurgency networks study such rhetoric closely. When they hear that world powers believe religious genocide exists, they try to amplify that belief by attacking specific communities to paint a picture that aligns with the claims. He said several groups quickly began to take advantage of the moment to launch “symbolic attacks” that would generate headlines. The attack on the school in Kebbi, where dozens of schoolgirls were abducted, and the assault on worshippers in Kwara fit into what he described as “tactical opportunism.”
He noted that before Trump’s posts, intelligence reports showed that many of these groups lacked the manpower and resources to carry out coordinated attacks on schools or religious gatherings. Their operations in recent months had shifted toward small-scale criminal banditry—mostly isolated raids, cattle rustling, and roadside abductions. But, in the wake of Trump’s remarks, they saw a chance to rebrand themselves as ideologically driven actors with international relevance.
Akume insisted that Nigeria does not need foreign troops on its soil. He said the Nigerian Armed Forces had enough strength and experience to fight domestic threats. According to him, troops have reclaimed vast territories over the years and degraded leadership structures of Boko Haram and ISWAP. He said they continue to run successful multi-theatre operations that target hideouts, supply lines, and cells. What Nigeria needs, he said, is targeted support from partners—support in intelligence gathering, advanced technology, cybersecurity, and equipment—not boots on the ground from any foreign country.
He said the government values collaboration with the United States but cannot accept narratives that distort the country’s security reality. Foreign commentary must focus on cooperation, he argued, rather than portraying Nigeria as a nation on the verge of religious war. He made it clear that Nigeria rejects the label of “Christian genocide,” saying verified evidence shows extremist groups have attacked both Christians and Muslims for over a decade. Churches and mosques have both suffered tragic losses. Entire communities of different faiths have endured trauma. He cautioned that describing the conflict as a religious war oversimplifies the crisis and ignores the complex political, economic, and ethnic factors that drive violence in the region.
Akume reminded the public that Nigeria is a secular state and that the constitution does not recognise any state religion. Soldiers die in the line of duty while defending communities of different faiths. Police officers and intelligence operatives work day and night to stop attacks. Local vigilantes and hunters risk their lives in remote areas to rescue civilians. Akume stressed that the fight against terrorism requires unity, not division.
The SGF urged Nigerians to remain calm and not allow foreign statements to dictate national conversations. He warned that extremists want to manipulate public emotions. When citizens panic or turn on each other, terror groups feel stronger. He said citizens must trust the security agencies and avoid sharing false narratives that worsen fear.
The recent attacks sparked widespread outrage across the country. Citizens demanded answers. Parents of the abducted schoolgirls cried for help, pleading with authorities to bring their children home. Communities in Kwara expressed shock and anger over the attack on worshippers. Religious groups issued strong statements condemning the violence and calling on government to increase protection for sacred spaces and schools.
YEPS reported that security forces responded immediately to the Kebbi abductions and the Kwara assault, launching coordinated operations designed to locate the perpetrators. Troops and local hunters joined search efforts in the forests near Maga. Drones, surveillance equipment, and intelligence teams tracked movement patterns across the region. In Kwara, police patrols increased across vulnerable communities. The military also sent reinforcements to several strategic points in the North-West and North-Central.
Despite the strong security push, Nigerians continue to worry about the rising boldness of these violent actors. Many citizens blame political tension, economic hardship, and foreign interference for fueling the current climate. Some argue that insurgent groups thrive when narratives from major world powers portray Nigeria as weak or unstable. Others believe the country’s long-term solution lies in strengthening local intelligence structures and investing in community policing.
Akume acknowledged the concerns raised by many Nigerians and assured the public that the government has stepped up efforts to strengthen local security networks across vulnerable communities. He explained that security agencies now receive additional support, better coordination, and clearer directives to respond quickly to emerging threats. According to him, the government understands the fears people feel and will continue to take concrete steps to protect every region. Akume emphasized that Nigeria welcomes genuine cooperation from international partners, but the country will never accept any form of external pressure that could undermine its stability, sovereignty, or decision-making. He insisted that Nigerians must remain confident in their own institutions and remain committed to working together as one nation.
As public anger simmers nationwide, many Nigerians hope the government’s latest measures bring peace. The country has faced waves of insecurity over the years, yet the people continue to show resilience. Communities rebuild, families hope, and security forces fight on. The recent terror attacks may have shaken the nation, but they have not broken its spirit.
Akume expressed strong confidence that Nigeria will rise above this difficult moment. He urged citizens across the country to stay united, remain vigilant, and continue supporting the security agencies working day and night to protect lives. He assured Nigerians that the government remains fully committed to restoring peace, strengthening communities, and preventing future attacks. According to him, the administration will not rest until every child is safe in their classroom, every family feels secure in their home, and every community can live without fear.
He vowed that those responsible for the recent attacks will face justice without exception, reaffirming that the government will pursue every perpetrator and ensure they are held fully accountable for their actions, no matter how long it takes or where they try to hide.