Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has said that Nigeria’s insecurity is not driven by religious differences, stressing that the government is tackling terrorism and extremism through due process and ongoing prosecutions.
Fagbemi made the remarks in Abuja on Tuesday after meeting with Richard Mills, a U.S. congressman and ambassador to Nigeria. He explained that the engagement provided Nigeria an opportunity to clarify misconceptions about terrorism and insecurity in the country.
“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,” he said.
The AGF highlighted progress in terrorism trials, noting that between 2017 and 2025, Nigeria secured 860 convictions and 891 acquittals. He said the acquittals prove that suspects are not arbitrarily detained, but are subjected to profiling and due process before being charged.
“We don’t just arrest people and clamp them into prison. Those who have nothing to do with it are left off the hook, while those with cases are taken to court. It is for the court to decide, and we comply with its decisions,” Fagbemi added.
He confirmed that the visiting U.S. delegation is meeting with Nigeria’s security institutions, civil society groups, and religious leaders to gain a broader understanding of the situation.
Fagbemi insisted that Nigeria’s problems are often exaggerated internationally, saying: “Things are not as heinous as people are portraying. We have problems in Nigeria, but it is not a problem of religion.”
Background
The comments come amid heightened scrutiny from Washington. On November 1, U.S. President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over alleged attacks on Christians, warning that U.S. aid could be withdrawn if the government failed to act.
In response, President Bola Tinubu approved the creation of a US-Nigeria joint working group to deepen collaboration on security. The group was formed following a high-level Nigerian delegation’s visit to Washington, led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
