Nigeria’s Insecurity Not Religious, Says AGF Fagbemi After Meeting US Congressman

 

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, on Tuesday dismissed claims that Nigeria’s security challenges are driven by religious differences, insisting that the country’s efforts against terrorism remain firmly rooted in due process and evidence-based prosecution.

Fagbemi spoke in Abuja after a meeting with Richard Mills, a visiting United States congressman and the American Ambassador to Nigeria.

He said the engagement provided Nigeria an opportunity to clarify what he described as frequent misrepresentations about the nature of insecurity in the country. While acknowledging existing challenges, he stressed that they are often misunderstood or exaggerated by external observers.

“This meeting is about the terrorism going on in the country and to afford us the opportunity to explain our own side of the story,” he said.

“I’m happy they are here to see things for themselves. What is important is to apprise them that although we have security challenges, they are not religious.”

According to him, the Federal Government has continued to make progress in prosecuting terrorism-related cases, with the Ministry of Justice actively driving the process.

“For instance, today the terrorism trial is still ongoing. I have taken up one or two of the cases,” he stated.

“From 2017 to 2025, we have secured 860 convictions and recorded 891 acquittals. This clearly shows we do not arrest people indiscriminately. Every suspect is profiled, and only those against whom we have evidence are taken before the courts.”

He added that the acquittals reflect the government’s adherence to the rule of law, stressing that authorities comply fully with all judicial decisions.

Fagbemi also revealed that the US delegation has held engagements with several security and governance institutions, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Defence Headquarters, civil society organisations, and religious groups.

He maintained that although Nigeria faces serious security concerns, the situation is often distorted in international discourse.

“But I want to tell you that things are not as heinous as people portray. We have challenges, yes, but it is not a problem of religion,” he said.