Security Challenges Not Driven By Religious Sentiments – AGF

The federal government has reiterated that the security challenges faced by the country are not driven by religious considerations and therefore, assured that is doing its upmost to ensure these challenges are addressed.

The Attorney-General of the Federation AGF, and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi made the call while addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting with United States Congressman and their Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr.

He noted that concerted efforts are being made to tackle terrorism and all forms of violent extremism across the country, stressing that the meeting was an opportunity for the Federal Government to present its perspective on terrorism and insecurity bedeviling
Nigeria hence allow the visiting US lawmaker to assess the situation firsthand.

“This meeting is about the issue of terrorism going on the country and to also afford us the opportunity to explain our side of the story. We have explained this to them in Washington, and i am happy that they are also here to see things themselves.”

“What is important is to appraise 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, Fagbemi stated.”

He explained that his ministry is responsible for prosecuting suspects arrested in connection with terrorism and extremism-related offences, adding that the government follows due process in handling such cases, disclosing that between 2017 and 2025, the government had secured 860 convictions and 891 discharges.

The figures, according to the Chief Law Officer, reflected the government’s commitment to the rule of law and abiding by court decisions, whether convictions or acquittals.

“What this speaks to is particularly the issue of discharges of defendants, We don’t just arrest people and clamp them into prison. We follow due process to profile them and free those not guilty and charge those we have cases against to the court to decide.;

“So whenever the court takes decision, we comply with or abide by the decision and that’s why we have both convictions and acquittals; he explained;

Fagbemi added that the visiting US Congressman had met with several security and government agencies, as well as civil society and religious organisations urging the public to avoid exaggerating the security situation in the country.

“We are not the only agency that they have visited, they have also visited a number of Agencies like the office of the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff, Civil Society Organizations, among others.”

“I want to tell you that things are not as heinous as people are portraying, we have a problem in Nigeria but certainly not a religious one.” AGF added

Garry Ochigbo, Edited By Grace Namiji