Insecurity in Nigeria not religion-driven, says AGF Fagbemi
Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, says Nigeria’s security challenges are not rooted in religious differences, stressing that the federal government is addressing the situation through due process and ongoing terrorism prosecutions.
Fagbemi spoke in Abuja on Tuesday after a meeting with Richard Mills, a United States congressman and the American ambassador to Nigeria.
The AGF said the engagement provided an opportunity for Nigeria to clarify the realities surrounding terrorism and insecurity, adding that while challenges remain, they are often misrepresented.
“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 that they are also here to see things for themselves. And what is important is to also apprise them that 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.”
Fagbemi said the justice ministry has continued to prosecute cases linked to extremism and has recorded “significant progress” since terrorism trials commenced.
“For instance, today, as we speak, the terrorism trial is still going on. I have been there today, and I have taken one or two of the cases,” he said.
“And I want to seize this opportunity to let you know that as of today, that is from 2017 to 2025, we have secured 860 convictions and 891 acquittals, that is, discharges.”
He said the acquittals show that Nigeria is not arbitrarily detaining suspects.
“What this speaks to, particularly the issue of discharges of the defendants, is that we don’t just arrest people and then, you know, clamp them into prison. We follow due process. They are profiled,” he said.
“Those who have nothing to do with it are left off the hook. Those who we believe we have cases against, we take them to court. It is for the court to decide.
“So, whenever the court takes a decision, we comply or abide by the decision, and that is why we have good convictions and acquittals.”
Fagbemi said the US delegation is holding engagements with multiple security and governance institutions.
“They have visited the office of the national security adviser. They have visited the office of the chief of defence staff and a few other agencies. They have also met with some civil society organisations and religious forces,” he added.
“But I want to tell you that things are not as heinous as people are portraying. I can assure you of that. We have problems in Nigeria. It is not a problem of religion.”
