A United States delegation investigating the rising cases of killings in Nigeria held a closed door meeting on Tuesday with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi. The engagement is part of a broader fact finding mission being carried out by American lawmakers and diplomats following renewed concerns about religiously motivated violence in the country.
The team, which includes United States Congressman Riley Moore and the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Junior, had earlier met with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and travelled to Benue State to interact with Catholic bishops, Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Tiv traditional ruler.
The visit follows a controversial declaration by United States President Donald Trump in October, where he described Nigeria as “a country of particular concern” over allegations of widespread attacks against Christians. In a message shared on Truth Social and reposted on the White House X handle, Trump claimed that Christianity in Nigeria was facing an existential threat and accused radical Islamic groups of carrying out mass killings.
Speaking after the meeting, Attorney General Fagbemi said the discussion focused on Nigeria’s security situation and the need to present the Federal Government’s perspective on terrorism. He explained that Nigerian officials had already briefed United States authorities during a previous visit to Washington and welcomed the opportunity for the delegation to see the realities on the ground.
He stressed that the country’s security challenges should not be framed as a religious conflict. “What is important is to make it clear that although we have challenges in Nigeria, they are not religious. We are confronting security issues and the government is doing everything within its power to address them,” he said.
Fagbemi also outlined the role of the Ministry of Justice in prosecuting individuals linked to terrorism and extremism. He provided updated figures on terrorism related trials, revealing that between 2017 and 2025, the government secured eight hundred and sixty convictions and eight hundred and ninety one acquittals.
According to him, the data reflects the government’s adherence to due process. He noted that suspects are properly profiled and only those with established cases against them are charged to court. “We do not simply arrest people and throw them into detention. Those found to be uninvolved are released. Those with cases to answer are prosecuted, and the courts decide their fate,” he said.
Fagbemi added that the Federal Government respects all court rulings, whether convictions or acquittals, demonstrating its commitment to the rule of law.
The Attorney General confirmed that the visiting United States team had met with several key institutions within the defence and security sector, as well as civil society and religious groups. He urged Nigerians to avoid overstating the severity of the country’s security problems, insisting that the situation, though serious, is often exaggerated.
“I want to make it clear that things are not as terrible as they are sometimes portrayed. Yes, we have security concerns, but they are not driven by religion,” he said.
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