The federal government under Bola Tinubu has said that many of the terrorists responsible for killings and kidnappings across Nigeria are foreign nationals who speak French.
George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, made the statement while addressing the plenary session of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria held at St. Gabriel’s Chaplaincy, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria in Abuja.
According to Akume, security reports indicate that many suspects arrested in connection with terrorist activities are not Nigerians.
“Insecurity is a problem not only in this country but throughout the world. Even advanced countries are going through this,” Akume said. “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 further explained that several suspects reportedly speak French and only limited Hausa, suggesting cross-border involvement in banditry and terrorism.
“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,” he added.
Akume also disclosed that the Nigerian government is collaborating with the United States and other international partners to address the growing security challenges.
He noted that President Tinubu’s recent trip to Turkey was partly aimed at acquiring additional military equipment, including drones, to strengthen the country’s counter-terrorism operations.
Meanwhile, recent attacks have continued to raise concerns. Reports indicate that at least 38 people were killed in Dutse Dan Ajiya community in Zamfara State over the weekend.
Amnesty International has also criticised the federal government’s handling of the security situation.
In a statement, the organisation said that at least 323 people were killed in multiple attacks across rural communities in Benue State, Katsina State, Kwara State, Kebbi State, Niger State and Zamfara State within the first twenty days of February.
The organisation described the rising attacks as alarming and called for more effective security strategies to protect vulnerable communities.
