The Federal Government has revealed that most of the deadly attacks plaguing northern Nigeria are being carried out not by Nigerians, but by foreign terrorists who have infiltrated the country through porous borders.
The disclosure was made by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, during a meeting with Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria members in Abuja on Sunday.
Akume said intelligence reports from security agencies have established that many suspects arrested following recent attacks were unable to speak English or Hausa — the dominant languages in affected communities — but instead communicated fluently in French. He took this as clear evidence of foreign infiltration. “Do we speak French in Nigeria? No,” he said pointedly.
The SGF noted that while Boko Haram originated in Nigeria, most of the armed fighters now operating in forests and rural settlements across the North-Central region and beyond are of foreign origin. He specifically referenced Niger State as one of the areas significantly affected.
“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,” Akume stated.
On Nigeria’s response, Akume confirmed that the government has been strengthening its military capabilities, including the acquisition of drones from Turkey, while ongoing talks with the United States and other international partners are focused on enhanced intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism cooperation.
He also moved to dispel reports about reintegrating repentant terrorists into the military, clarifying that such a proposal was never adopted under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The SGF urged religious leaders and civil society organizations to approach the security situation with balance, reminding them that the crisis predates the current government. He described insecurity as a global challenge, noting that even the world’s most developed nations are not immune.
Violence linked to banditry and insurgency continues to affect Borno, Yobe, Sokoto, Niger, and Kwara states, with farming communities and forest-edge settlements bearing the brunt of the ongoing crisis.
