Nigeria’s Security Crisis Driven By Cross‑Border Terrorists, Not Internal Religious Conflict – Mumuni Tells Trump

A prominent Nigerian security expert, Amb. Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, has called on the United States of America (USA) President, Donald Trump to reevaluate his recent redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” emphasising that the country’s security crisis is driven by cross‑border terrorist networks rather than internal religious conflict.

Amb. Mumuni, in a statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Rasheed Abubakar, urged President Trump and his team to adopt a more nuanced and informed approach, focusing on the underlying causes of violence in the region.

According to Mumuni, Nigeria’s security challenges stem largely from terrorist groups operating across borders, not from any one religious community.

He stressed that the term “Fulani bandits” fails to capture the complexity of these entities, which he described as cross‑border criminal networks exploiting Nigeria’s porous borders to move arms and personnel—leading to heightened terror and civil instability.

Amb. Mumuni, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) cautioned against framing Nigeria’s security crisis solely through a religious lens, stressing that recent acts of violence have affected both Christians and Muslims.

According to him, “Indiscriminate killings in Nigeria impact all communities—Christian and Muslim alike. Labeling such attacks based on religion not only distorts the facts but also fuels division and hostility.”

Amb. Mumuni noted that these violent acts should be rightly classified as terrorism. “To foster national unity and interfaith harmony, it is important to identify these crimes as what they are—terrorist acts—not religious persecution. This approach promotes reconciliation and helps rebuild trust across religious lines,” he said.

He implored the Nigerian government to take immediate and decisive steps to formally designate the so-called “bandits” and their supporters as terrorists.

According to Mumuni, such a declaration is vital not only for strengthening Nigeria’s internal security and legal framework but also for securing much-needed international support. “By officially labeling these groups as terrorists, Nigeria signals its readiness to confront the grave threat of terrorism head-on, while opening the door to strategic global partnerships and aid,” he said.

Amb. Mumuni emphasized that recognizing the cross-border nature of these threats is essential to developing more effective responses.

He recommended that the U.S. government collaborate with other nations in the region to identify and sanction both foreign and local actors fueling insecurity in Nigeria.

According to him, these elements should be flagged with international warrants and subjected to appropriate sanctions to deter their destructive activities and restore peace.

He further urged President Trump to consider the complexity of Nigeria’s security challenges and support international cooperation efforts. “The United States has a pivotal role in Nigeria’s stability. That role begins with an informed, nuanced understanding of the crisis and actions that align with global humanitarian values and international law,” he added.

Amb. Mumuni concluded by expressing hope for meaningful global engagement that amplifies the voices of victims and supports long-term peace and justice in Nigeria.