Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, has stated that terrorists in the country do not represent any religious group.
Addressing newsmen on Saturday in Sokoto, he stated that bandits are common criminals who merely seek available targets to attack.
He warned political leaders and the international community against politicising the country’s worsening insecurity.
Tambuwal described the recent designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern by United States President Donald Trump as quite unfortunate.
He insisted that the designation does not reflect the true nature and complexity of Nigeria’s security challenges.
“I would like to believe that President Trump and the American government did not fully grasp or appreciate the Nigerian situation. What we are facing is not a religious crisis but a security crisis affecting Nigerians of all faiths and backgrounds.
“These marauders do not represent any religion. How else can one explain what they are doing in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and other states? They are common criminals, attacking every soul they come across.
“You can’t even go to the mosque or the church safely. So this is not about a particular section of the country or a particular religion. It is about Nigeria,” he said.
The former governor aligned himself with the Vatican’s position on Nigeria, noting that the Pope had rightly acknowledged that Nigerians, Christians and Muslims alike, are victims of widespread insecurity.
He emphasised that insecurity has become a national issue that transcends politics, ethnicity, and religion, insisting that collective action is urgently needed.
He called on the United States and other global partners to reconsider their stance and instead support the administration of President Bola Tinubu in addressing the crisis.
“It’s not about Bola Tinubu as a person. It’s not about APC or party politics. It’s about our country. Any country, America, France, the UK, Canada, that can support Nigeria to overcome insecurity should please do so,” the former governor added.
