- Many Attackers Behind Killings in Nigeria Are From Outside the Country – Akume
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Security agencies note linguistic and cultural differences among suspects.
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FG strengthens borders, military, and international cooperation to curb attacks.
The Federal Government has said that a significant number of individuals responsible for violent attacks across Nigeria are foreign nationals who entered the country through porous borders.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, made the remarks on Sunday while speaking at the First Plenary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria held at St. Gabriel’s Chaplaincy, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that addressing participants at the gathering, Akume acknowledged that insecurity remains one of the country’s most pressing challenges but stressed that the issue is not unique to Nigeria.
“Insecurity is a problem not only in this country but throughout the world. Even advanced countries are going through this,” he said.
He described the spate of killings across parts of the country as tragic, noting that the crisis predates the current administration. However, he maintained that intelligence findings suggest that many of those apprehended in connection with recent attacks are not Nigerians.
According to him, security agencies have observed linguistic and cultural differences among some of the suspects.
“Many of these people who have been arrested don’t speak English. They speak very poor Hausa, but they speak French. Do we speak French in Nigeria? No,” Akume stated.
While acknowledging that extremist groups such as Boko Haram originated within Nigeria, the SGF argued that several of those currently operating in forests and rural communities — particularly in parts of Niger State and other affected regions — are believed to have come from outside the country.
“Those who are doing the killings, most of them are from outside the country. I say what I know to be true based on security reports,” he added.
Nigeria was recently designated a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over security and religious freedom concerns, a development Akume said has opened the door for deeper international collaboration. He noted that the United States is working with Nigeria in intelligence sharing and operational support.
Referencing recent drone operations in Sokoto, the SGF said the government is taking concrete steps to confront the threat.
“It is not that we are just sitting by. America is cooperating with Nigeria. We are working together,” he said.
Akume further disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to Turkey was partly aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s defence capabilities. According to him, discussions included the procurement of additional military hardware, such as drones and advanced equipment, to enhance the country’s security architecture.
“The main reason the President was in Turkey was to purchase more armaments. This includes drones. So we are not just sitting idle,” he said.
On the contentious issue of reintegrating former insurgents, Akume clarified that attempts to absorb ex-Boko Haram members into formal structures, including the military, were initiated during the previous administration but faced resistance and did not materialise.
“There were attempts to put them in the military, but that was resisted. That was not done,” he explained, adding that any future consideration of such measures would require careful scrutiny.
The Federal Government has repeatedly maintained that it remains committed to strengthening border security, enhancing military capacity and deepening international partnerships to curb insurgency and banditry across the country.
