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In its 65 years of existence an independent country, Nigeria has experienced many storms. The current debilitating security situation is an unsettling addition to the storms.
The current storm sadly tugs at the foundation of the country. That a band of heavily armed non- state actor are having a field day in parts of the country, kidnapping, maiming and killing is not something to cheer about. Every patriotic Nigerian should despair about the turn of event.
Nigeria’s security situation is akin to natural but a violent storm, a violent weather condition with winds 64-72 knots (11 on the Beaufort scale) and precipitation and thunder and lightning. The above mirrors the heinous and barbaric activities of Boko Haram and other marauding Islamic terror groups such as ISWAP, Lakurawa, Ansaru etc troubling the peace of our nation and inflicting pains and agony on innocent Nigerians. Lives have been lost, communities have been looted, decimated and billions of Naira worth of properties and public infrastructures destroyed in the calamitous insecurity that has bedevilled Nigeria in the past 16 years.
Sadly, the raging argument as to whether Christians or Moslems; Mosques or Churches have suffered more attacks from terrorists, Islamists, jihadists and bandits has reignited our faultlines as a nation and widened the frontiers of divisions. American President, Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” and his threat to intervene militarily to subdue the terrorists and stop what he described as “Christian Genocide” further adds to the raging storm Nigeria is facing.
Opinions on the Trump’s Christian genocide allegation and CPC designation are divergent and often expressed along ethno- religious and political lines. Apparently concerned about the damage it could do to his re- election, President Bola Tinubu has vigorously pushed back against the allegation of Christian genocid through various means, including his Aides appearances on international television stations and visits to the United states.
However, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN is insisting that there is indeed genocide against members of the faith in Nigeria
According to the President of CAN, Daniel Okoh, “Christian communities in parts of Nigeria, especially in the North, have suffered severe attacks, loss of life, and the destruction of places of worship.”
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, however, acknowledged that while there were indeed cases of persecution, such as attacks, loss of lives and destruction of places of worship of Christians in the country, particularly in the North, there was no need for the international community to slam the CPC designation on Nigeria.
Recall that Trump had posted on his Truth Social platform that: “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter.
“I am hereby making Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” — But that is the least of it. When Christians, or any such group, are slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 Worldwide), something must be done!”
Trump’s action is not totally surprising. Earlier, US Congressmen led by Ted Cruz had accused the Nigerian government of allowing genocide against Christians by Islamists. Cruz cited the abuse of Sharia and blasphemy laws by states in Northern Nigeria against Christians.
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom had recommended that Nigeria be designated as a CPC due to severe violations of religious freedom, including attacks on religious communities and slow government response. As expected, Nigeria has pushed back against the narrative.
In a swift rebuttal, Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: “The Federal Government of Nigeria notes the recent remarks by U.S. President Donald J. Trump alleging large-scale killings of Christians in Nigeria and calling for the country’s designation as a ‘Country of Particular Concern.
“While Nigeria appreciates global concern for human rights and religious freedom, these claims do not reflect the situation on the ground. Nigerians of all faiths have long lived, worked, and worshipped together peacefully.”
Security and diplomatic experts say the implications of the US action on Nigeria are dire. This may include visa bans on Nigerian government officials, asset forfeiture, increased scrutiny, downgrading of cooperation in some areas involving Nigeria, the US and other countries that share concerns about religious persecution.
The redesignation of Nigeria as CPC could also scare away investors. It is the last step to the imposition of a non-humanitarian aid ban on Nigeria.
The CPC designation was earlier slammed on Nigeria in December 2020 by Trump in his first coming. The designation announcement was made by the then US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, citing perceived severe violations of religious freedom.
Nigeria shares the designation with Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, North Korea and Saudi Arabia.
However, for a reason that was never explained, Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, removed Nigeria from the list in November 2021.
Essentially, Nigeria has been under the siege of Islamic terrorism since 2009, when Boko Haram began attempts to establish a caliphate in Nigeria.
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Attacks on churches and Christians have been rife but Muslims have also been slaughtered across many communities in the North. Terrorists hardly discriminate.
There are also persistent attacks by Fulani herders on predominantly Christian communities in Benue and Plateau states, including on New Year’s Day in 2018 and the attacks on four local government areas in Plateau during the 2023 Christmas period.
UNDP’s record indicates that that over 350,000 Nigerians have been killed since 2009 by terrorists and bandits.
For example, on October 28, 2025 a pastor, Yahaya Kambasiya, was killed, and 20 worshippers abducted by bandits in the Farin Dutse community in the Kauru council area of Kaduna State.
On September 15, bandits abducted about 40 Muslim worshippers during early morning prayers at Gidan Turbe village mosque in Tsafe local government area of Zamfara State.
It is my considered view that the position of the US on almost any matter or country is consequential, it’s position on insecurity and terrorism in Nigeria should therefore be glossed over.
We have to swallow our pride and admit that insecurity is all time high in Nigeria right now and that despite the military’s concerted efforts in defeating the terrorists, the country is still at the mercy of the deviants.
Seeking foreign military assistance to crush the terrorists and stop their mindless slaughter of Nigerians- Christians and Muslims alike- should not be ruled out.
Downplaying the severity or the harsh reality of the security situation in Nigeria will only amount to self- deceit and hypocrisy. Government’s often repeated mantra that it has defeated Islamic terrorism and banditry is vapid and ghoulish.
President Tinubu should urgently order a re – assessment of Nigeria’s security architecture with the view of re-strategise on how to inflict a crushing defeat on the terrorists.
Itinerant but murderous armed Fulani herders who slaughter people across the country, should be disarmed and made to face the music. They should also be made to understand that the archaic method of grazing their cattle which involves roaming all over Nigeria’s farmlands and destroying crops cannot continue. They must be made to embrace mordern grazing method: Ranching.
Terrorists, wherever and whichever state, forest or bush they are hiding, should be hunted down and their financiers exposed and punished to prove to the world that the government is serious about securing the lives of Nigerians
Also, to curtail the rising insecurity, the National Assembly should immediately begin the process for state police.
That Wike-Yerima face-off (2)
I appreciate the myriad of readers who commended the balanced agurement in the first part of this write up. However, I pray that the ugly incident will not happen again. I also pray that in future a top ranking military personnel will not be a clock on the wheel of democratic progress in Nigeria. I insist that those constitutionally mandated to ensure the compliance of laid down rules of law should always exhibit humility and candour when speaking in public.
It is not acceptable that a Minister of the federal Republic of Nigeria in whatsoever capacity will unabashedly call somebody a fool in public or use derogatory words on anyone no matter the situation.The FCT Minister is a Christian, a church goer, so he ought to be conversant with the Holy Bible passage which says in “Proverbs 14:7: “Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge” Also the same Bible in the proverb admonishes that “if a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laughs, there is no rest”. Since Wike, being older, had observed the unyielding behavior of the young Naval officer, Lt. Yerima, as a leader, he should have completely avoided any altercation with him.
Wike has easy access to Yerima’s superiors and the sensible thing he should have done was to exit the disputed property, return to his office and put a call across to the young officer’s superiors to lay complaints.
That would have been wisdom in action had Wike not elected to throw his weight around as the “Nero” and Omo “Onile” of Abuja combined!
Anyway, the unfortunate but avoidable Wike-Yerima public show of shame should serve as a humbling lesson to every public servant occupying high offices: When provoked, never condescend low to banter insults like feuding market women or house wives! If you do, sympathy and favourable public opinion will not be on your side but on the side of the “underdog”!
