Kwara, Kebbi abductions: FG blames US as kidnap outrage spreads

The Federal Government on Wednesday blamed the renewed terror attacks, including the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi and the assault on worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State, on recent remarks by United States as public anger over the incidents spread nationwide.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said Trump’s posts alleging “Christian genocide” in Nigeria and threatening to deploy US troops had “inadvertently emboldened opportunistic violent groups” now seeking to justify attacks on soft targets.

“Recent pronouncements from the United States have inadvertently emboldened opportunistic violent groups seeking to exploit international narratives and make bold statements by attacking soft targets,” Akume said on Wednesday.

Addressing the evolution of violent extremism, banditry and ongoing security challenges in the country, the SGF added, “Before these statements, insurgency structures had been significantly degraded and reduced to isolated banditry.

“This resurgence underscores the vital need for collaboration, not public labelling, between Nigeria and the United States.

Trump had, in a series of posts on X between October 30 and November 1, 2025, designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over allegations of a Christian genocide.

The US President warned that he might deploy American forces to Nigeria if the alleged killings of Christians did not stop.

He said he had directed what he called the “Department of War” to prepare for “possible action” should the violence persist.

Trump also threatened to suspend all U.S. assistance to Nigeria if President Bola Tinubu’s administration failed to address the alleged persecution.

In his statement on Wednesday, the SGF said insurgency networks had previously been significantly weakened and reduced to isolated banditry before the statements.

Some groups were now attempting to leverage those remarks to gain visibility,” he noted.

Highlighting the impact of Trump’s pronouncements, the SGF said, “Recent pronouncements from the United States have inadvertently emboldened opportunistic violent groups seeking to exploit international narratives and make bold statements by attacking soft targets.”

Akume reaffirmed the government’s position that Nigeria does not require foreign troops, noting that the Nigerian Armed Forces have reclaimed territories and degraded Boko Haram and ISWAP structures.