Eshiorameh Sebastian and Emiola Osifeso
The Federal Government has claimed that recent remarks by the United States about religious violence in Nigeria have “inadvertently emboldened” armed groups to carry out fresh attacks, including the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi and an assault on worshippers in Kwara State.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said on Wednesday that Trump’s posts alleging “Christian genocide” in Nigeria and threatening to deploy US troops had strengthened militant groups seeking to justify attacks.
“Recent pronouncements from the United States have inadvertently emboldened opportunistic violent groups seeking to exploit international narratives and make bold statements by attacking soft targets,” Akume stated.
The comments come amid growing national anger over security failures after gunmen attacked Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, killing the vice principal and abducting at least 25 students in the early hours of Sunday.
The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed that Vice Principal Hassan Makuku, who reportedly attempted to shield students from the attackers, was killed during the invasion. The police also confirmed that at least 24 students were abducted from the school, though the state government revealed that two of the schoolgirls had managed to escape during the attack.
Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Prof Halima Bande, explained to journalists on Tuesday: “A total of 26 students were abducted in the early-morning attack, but two girls managed to escape, leaving 24 schoolgirls still in captivity.” She identified the escapees as Salma and Hauwa’u Liman, noting that both girls are now safe and have been reunited with their families. “Only two have escaped so far,” she emphasised.
In a separate incident in Kwara State, gunmen stormed the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area, on Tuesday evening, opening fire during a live-streamed service. At least two people were killed, while about 35 worshippers were abducted, according to police and multiple eyewitness accounts.
The assault, captured on video, sent congregants scrambling for cover as the attackers shot into the hall before fleeing into nearby bushes. Eruku, a boundary town near Kogi State, has seen heightened security activity since the attack as the Kwara police launched a manhunt with support from local vigilantes.
Addressing the evolution of violent extremism in the country, Akume added: “Before these statements, insurgency structures had been significantly degraded and reduced to isolated banditry. This resurgence underscores the vital need for collaboration, not public labelling, between Nigeria and the United States.”
Trump had, in a series of posts on X between October 30 and November 1, 2025, designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over allegations of a Christian genocide. The US President warned that he might deploy American forces to Nigeria if the alleged killings of Christians did not stop. He said he had directed what he called the “Department of War” to prepare for “possible action” should the violence persist. Trump also threatened to suspend all U.S. assistance to Nigeria if President Bola Tinubu’s administration failed to address the alleged persecution.
The SGF on Wednesday said insurgency networks had previously been significantly weakened and reduced to isolated banditry before the statements. “Some groups were now attempting to leverage those remarks to gain visibility,” he noted.
Highlighting the impact of Trump’s pronouncements, the SGF said: “Recent pronouncements from the United States have inadvertently emboldened opportunistic violent groups seeking to exploit international narratives and make bold statements by attacking soft targets.”
Akume reaffirmed the government’s position that Nigeria does not require foreign troops, noting that the Nigerian Armed Forces have reclaimed territories and degraded Boko Haram and ISWAP structures. He said the country instead needs targeted support from partners, especially in intelligence, technology and equipment.
“The Nigerian Armed Forces are highly capable, experienced and professional. They have reclaimed vast territories, degraded Boko Haram/ISWAP leadership structures, and conducted successful multi-theatre operations. Nigeria does not require foreign troops. What is needed is targeted support from partners, especially the United States, in the areas of intelligence cooperation, technology and military equipment support for advanced engagement against the insurgents,” Akume stated.
Akume also said the government reject claims describing the conflict as a “Christian genocide,” stating that verified evidence shows insurgents and criminal groups have attacked both churches and mosques, killing Muslims and Christians.
The former Benue governor stressed that Nigeria remains a secular state and that government appointments reflect the country’s diversity. He argued: “Nigeria is a secular state as guaranteed by various provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended. No state religion is adopted as a national religion and no citizen of Nigeria is above the Nigerian constitution. The appointment made by the present administration reflects the diversities of our nation and both Christians and Muslims and members of the Federal Executive Council holding key positions in equal proportion, including the Nigerian security council, the body that deals with all security challenges in Nigeria.”
He insisted that Nigeria rejects any characterisation of the conflict as a genocide against Christians or any group. “Verified evidence shows that insurgents and criminal networks attack both churches and mosques, killing Muslims and Christians alike. The government remains committed to protecting all citizens and strengthening cooperation with international partners, especially the United States, to dismantle extremist and criminal networks,” he noted.
In response to the growing crisis, President Bola Tinubu postponed his planned foreign trips to the G20 Leaders’ Summit in South Africa and the AU-EU Summit in Angola. Rather, he stayed back for field briefings from Vice President Kashim Shettima, whom he had dispatched to Kebbi State on an assessment visit, as well as security reports from the Police and the Department of State Services regarding the Kwara incident.
He also ordered the deployment of more security personnel “to Eruku and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area of the state, and directed the police to go after the bandits who attacked worshippers,” a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed on Wednesday. The directive was “in response to the request by the governor of Kwara State,” Onanuga explained.
Officials close to the President had told our correspondent that Tinubu intends to receive first-hand reports on the situation in Kebbi, including the outcome of meetings with local leaders, before embarking on his trip. Tinubu was scheduled to leave Abuja today to attend the 20th G20 Summit of leaders in South Africa and thereafter proceed to Luanda to attend the 7th AU-EU Summit.
“Disturbed by the security breaches in Kebbi State and Monday’s attack by bandits against worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, President Tinubu decided to suspend his departure. He now awaits reports from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who paid a sympathy visit to Kebbi on his behalf, as well as reports from the police and the Department of State Services regarding the attack in Kwara,” Onanuga explained.
The President reiterated his directive to the security agencies to “do everything possible to rescue the 24 schoolgirls, abducted by the bandits and bring the girls back home, safe.” On Tuesday night, Tinubu had directed Vice President Shettima to visit Kebbi State on Wednesday over the abduction of 25 students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, and the killing of the school’s Vice-Principal.
The President, who had been briefed by the military authorities, “expressed sadness over the abduction of the schoolgirls, despite intelligence warnings of a possible strike by the bandits,” Onanuga revealed. While assuring the guardians of the kidnapped schoolgirls that the government will ensure their quick release, Tinubu also commiserated with the military over the death of the gallant soldiers and Brig. Gen. Musa Uba, who paid the ultimate price while on active duty fighting insurgents in Borno state.
Meanwhile, Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, on Wednesday announced plans to seek the establishment of a Forward Operating Base of the Nigerian Army and a Mobile Police Squadron in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area. The governor, who visited Eruku for an on-the-spot assessment, disclosed that he had spoken with the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, regarding the urgent security upgrade needed in the crisis-hit area.
“We will speak with the GOC to see that we have a Forward Operating Base in Eruku to enhance security here and also talk to the Inspector General of Police about establishing a mobile squadron here,” Abdulrazaq said. “It is indeed unfortunate what happened yesterday despite all the effort we have been making. Our main purpose here is to commiserate with the people of the community.
“All the security agencies are on this. The President had to cancel his trip to the G-20 because of this incident and that of Kebbi State. So the President is aware and we are on top of the situation,” he added.
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