Killing of over 8,000 terrorists shows Tinubu winning war against insecurity, says minister
The Nigeria-U.S. Parliamentary Friendship Group of the House of Representatives has called on the United States of America (USA) not to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to insecurity and violence.
However, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, said the killing of over 8,000 terrorists and bandits, the arrest of more than 11,600 criminal elements and the recovery of over 10,000 assorted weapons in 2024 were clear indicators that President Bola Tinubu is winning the fight against insecurity.
During a recent six-day diplomatic mission in the U.S., the group, led by the Chairman, Jesse Onuakalusi, engaged American lawmakers, including Congressman, Christopher Smith, to advocate against Nigeria’s inclusion on the CPC list.
Onuakalusi emphasised that the security challenges facing Nigeria stemmed from criminal activities and the proliferation of arms after the Arab Spring, rather than religious persecution.
“Placing Nigeria on the CPC list could hinder us from accessing technology and international support needed to combat crime effectively,” he warned at the Nigerian House in New York.
The Labour Party (LP) lawmaker also pushed for Nigeria’s longstanding bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), highlighting the country’s contributions to peacekeeping missions and its significant youth population as assets for global partnership and investment.
He further underscored Nigeria’s shift from seeking foreign aid to promoting business collaborations, citing the nation’s demographic and economic potential.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening diplomatic and legislative ties with the U.S., aiming to enhance Nigeria’s role in international peace and security decisions.
During their U.S. visit, the Nigerian delegation reportedly met with the UN Deputy Secretary-General, where they emphasised the need to leverage existing UN agencies for mutual benefit, reflecting the modern trend of direct nation-to-nation engagement.
Ambassador SyndophEndoni of Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the UN, recounted a recent meeting where he challenged the assertion that Africa lacks peace-making mechanisms, noting the roles of the African Union (AU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in regional stability.
He stressed the importance of Nigeria having a permanent representative at the UN to effectively project the country’s interests and mediate on its behalf.
Overall, the delegates also raised concerns over Nigeria’s lack of representation as chair of the UN’s C34 peacekeeping committee for the past two years, noting that this absence undermines Nigeria’s bid for a permanent Security Council seat.
SPEAKING in Abuja on Monday, Matawalle highlighted the establishment of the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAAKFC) as a major achievement in boosting strategic coordination and combating kidnapping across the country.
He emphasised that the military’s success reflected Tinubu’s broader security reforms.
Matawalle also praised the administration’s economic efforts, particularly the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development, which he said is designed to harness the North’s agricultural potential, spur economic growth and empower millions of citizens.
He cited a recent drop in grain prices as proof of the effectiveness of the government’s agricultural policies.
