Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi has said the country’s insecurity problems are not caused by religious differences.
Gatekeepers News reports that he spoke on Tuesday in Abuja after meeting Richard Mills, a United States congressman and the US ambassador to Nigeria.
Fagbemi explained that the discussion allowed Nigeria to clarify how terrorism and other security challenges are often misunderstood.
The AGF said, “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 added that the visit helped the US delegation see the situation firsthand. 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.”
According to him, the government is actively working to tackle insecurity and has continued to prosecute terrorism-related cases. He said the ministry has recorded progress since trials started years ago.
He said, “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.”
Fagbemi noted that between 2017 and 2025, the government secured 860 convictions and 891 acquittals. He said, “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 stressed that only suspects with evidence against them are taken to court, and the government respects the decisions made by judges.
The AGF 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 added that the US team has been meeting various security and governance institutions during its visit. He said, “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.”
Fagbemi concluded by stressing that the situation in Nigeria is sometimes exaggerated. He said, “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.”
