Trump recently tagged Nigeria as a “country of particular
concern” and accused the federal government of turning a blind eye to attacks
on Christians.

Akume spoke in Abuja on Wednesday at a press briefing called
to highlight the evolution of violent extremism, the Boko Haram and ISWAP
insurgency, and banditry in the north region of the country.

The SGF said insurgency has evolved on two major fronts—the
north-east ideological extremism linked to global terrorist networks and the
north-west crisis driven “purely by economic incentives”, including illegal
mining, cattle rustling, extortion and kidnapping-for-ransom.

He said adherents of Islam and Christianity have been
“equally victimised”, adding that no credible international organisation has
ever designated the crisis as genocide against Christians.

“No credible international institution has designated the
crisis as genocide against Christians. Boko Haram and ISWAP attack both
churches and mosques, killing Muslims and Christians alike,” he said.

He said bandits have also targeted all communities without
religious distinction, insisting the crisis is being misrepresented by groups
attempting to stir sectarian tensions in the country.

Akume linked part of the current insecurity to weapons
proliferation across the Sahel, following the collapse of Libya and instability
in Egypt after the 2011 uprisings.

He said prior to 2010, Nigeria lacked the legal framework to
combat terrorism until the enactment of the Terrorism Prevention Act after the
Independence Day bombing by Henry Okah.

He provided a historical outline of the insurgency from Boko
Haram’s emergence in 2002 under the late Mohammed Yusuf, its escalation under
Abubakar Shekau, and its transition into ISWAP after pledging allegiance to
ISIS in 2015.

Akume also said banditry in the north-west is driven by
competition over land and water resources, illegal mining, cattle rustling, and
the transformation of kidnapping into “an organised industry”.

He cited the June 2025 attack in Yelewata, Guma LGA of
Benue, where at least 100 people were killed, as one of the recent
mass-casualty incidents requiring federal intervention.

He said the armed forces remain “highly capable, experienced
and professional”, adding that Nigeria does not require foreign troops but
needs targeted support in intelligence, technology and equipment.

“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,”
he said.

Akume said insurgent structures had been significantly
degraded before those comments, adding that the resurgence shows the need for
collaboration rather than “public labelling”.

He said the government rejects any claim that the conflict
amounts to the genocide of any group and remains committed to protecting all
citizens regardless of religion.

Akume added that Nigeria, as a secular state, reflects its
diversity in federal appointments, including within the security council.

He outlined the next steps, including strengthening
nationwide security operations, deepening intelligence-sharing with the US and
allies, intensifying efforts against illegal mining, and enhancing border
security.

He said Nigeria and the US, as the largest democracies in
Africa and the world, respectively, share a responsibility to maintain global
stability and confront extremist threats.

“Now is the time to speak with one strong and united voice
to confront a common enemy—the terrorists, bandits and extremist insurgents—and
eradicate them from our national borders,” he added.