‘Nigeria Requires Concrete and Convincing Steps to Fight Terrorism’

As waves of violence spread from the North East to nearly every region, a growing chorus of voices warn that the killings bear all the hallmarks of genocide. In this interview, a former All Progressives Congress presidential aspirant, Adamu Garba, confronts the nation’s deepening security crisis, accusing the state of denial, exposing systemic complicity, and urging urgent collaboration with global powers before Nigeria’s “time bomb” explodes. Adedayo Adejobi brings excerpts:

You’ve described the killings across parts of Nigeria as “pure genocide.” Could you clarify what parameters or evidence you believe qualify these atrocities as genocide under international law, and how that aligns with Nigeria’s own official position?

When you look at the internationally acceptable definition of genocide, which states “the deliberate and systematic killing or persecution of a large number of people from a particular national or ethnic group to destroy that nation or group,” this depicts exactly what’s been happening in Nigeria. The terrorists carry out deliberate and systematic killings of innocent, defenseless civilians in the most vulnerable part of Nigeria. And this has been going on for more than 15 years. Several villages in Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi, Plateau, Benue, and now Kwara have been wiped off. The worst is, this crisis started only in the North East, and now it has expanded to other regions of the North West, North Central, South East, and some parts of the South West. At what point can we call it what it is? Is it when it has reached every family and community in Nigeria? The faster to accept our realities and confront these challenges head-on, the better for us as a nation.

Many Nigerians argue that the state’s failure to protect vulnerable populations has deepened distrust in government. Do you think the federal government has done enough to prevent these mass killings, or is there a structural complicity at play?

I think the federal government is doing the best it can, but it is obviously not enough. Our military has been on the frontline for nearly two decades, losing lives constantly to defend our territorial integrity, but many times, they complained of a lack of basic weaponry to confront the terrorist threats. Meanwhile, billions of dollars are allocated for these frontline operations, yet, some of the money finds its way into the private hands of contractors. What can you call this other than structural complicity? Truth is, our men and women in uniform are the bravest and most patriotic you can get in the world today, but a seeming lack of political will to nip this in the bud has, over time, exposed us to the issue where we can face full-scale insurgency from the terrorists within our borders.

The United States’ recent statements and intelligence activities on Nigeria’s internal conflicts have sparked outrage among nationalists. Do you perceive this as a necessary humanitarian concern or a veiled intrusion into Nigeria’s sovereignty?

Whatever the motive behind the U.S intention on Nigeria, the fact remains that there are killings in Nigeria and the magnitude kept expanding by the day. We must therefore accept our weakness and willingness to collaborate with them to address these lingering challenges. Our continued denial of the facts is what may trigger their actions against this country.

Some analysts claim that Western powers, including the U.S., only label violence as genocide when it serves their strategic interests. Do you believe this so-called “selective outrage” is shaping the global narrative about Nigeria’s crisis?

Absolutely, the U.S goes after its interests, but they naturally capitalise on an existing excuse to carry out operations in line with their strategic interest. If that is the case, we need mature and diplomatic discussions to address this interest effectively, rather than relying on the hard approach. But when we continue our intransigence, it will attract the superpower ego against our nation, albeit with heavy consequences.

While the U.S. positions itself as a moral authority, China has maintained a quieter but strategic presence in Nigeria and across Africa. How do you interpret Beijing’s silence on these killings — as indifference, pragmatism, or geopolitical calculation?

It is a known event globally that there is a strategic rivalry between the United States and China in many places across the world, not just in Africa. Nigeria has maintained a close relationship with both parties over the last 50 years, so what changed? It means the current government of the day needs to recalibrate its diplomatic credentials and find a balanced way to keep the two important partners and superpowers’ appetite in line with our strategic interests, too. Choosing one above the other is a double-edged sword for the nation of 230 million people.

Beyond foreign actors, where is the African Union in all this? Shouldn’t African nations take the lead in framing and responding to these crises instead of waiting for Washington or Beijing to define the agenda?

A – The African Union is a toothless and speech-presenting organisation. They are limited to conferences and seminars, and or annual events. Whatever they do or say when the two superpowers are at play will have no bearing whatsoever upon the outcome of any reasonable conclusions. I should not think of them as some factor in this regard.

Some critics argue that Nigeria’s diplomatic tone toward the U.S. has been too timid, given the severity of recent accusations. Do you think Nigeria should take a firmer, more assertive stance in defending its internal sovereignty?

I don’t want to call it timid, but I will call it lazy. The Bola Tinubu administration has presented one of the laziest foreign policy initiatives in Nigeria’s 65-year history. No coherence, no eloquence, and no standing and articulate priority agenda on the international stage. In the post-1945 global system, no nation can survive in isolation. Even your internal developmental agenda needs proper, strong, and discreet diplomatic engagements with international friends. However, the response from the government has been amateurish at its best. If we continue to maintain a confrontational stand on this issue, we may attract the hawks against our nation, and that will be the worst situation for us. Foreign policy is not done with emotions or media propaganda. You must roll up your sleeves and work hard to win friends who can work with you and not against you. Our position currently is more on pushing to the U.S and its allies to continue to draw its agenda against us. We must review our approach and seek collaboration with them rather than confrontation.

Labeling the situation as “genocide” has profound implications — including international legal consequences. Are you concerned that such terminology might invite external intervention or sanctions against Nigeria?

Absolutely worrisome, but it is as it is, the government needs to own up to its weaknesses and take responsibility to handle the issue by itself, rather than denying the obvious. Nigeria should not be unmindful of the fact that the United Nations Treaties Against International Terrorism, pushed by the United States in 2001, mandated the United States to invade any country on earth where the threat of terrorism is established. Therefore, we must be careful in how Nigerian government officials respond to these issues. Nigeria needs to make sure it takes charge, own up to the issue, and seeks international support from the United States to deal with the terrorists. This is the only way to prevent their planned invasion or any covert operations they may be preparing against Nigeria.

What concrete steps would you propose — diplomatically, militarily, and morally — for Nigeria to de-escalate these tensions and reclaim control over its internal and external narrative?

First, we should avoid confrontation and seek collaboration with the United States; we must further articulate concrete and convincing steps to address the threat of terrorism in Nigeria. Actions need to be taken quickly by the Nigerian security forces to start action while working alongside our counter-terrorism partners, including the U.S, Russia, and the UK. We must enthrone transparency and accountability in the processes of procuring arms and ammunition to support our military on the frontline and ensure that their welfare and properly and responsibly addressed.

As a political leader, how do you think Nigeria can foster national healing and unity amid such grave accusations, ensuring that justice is served without tearing the country further apart?

We must be truthful, sincere, and open to everyone. We must work hard to enthrone the principle of tolerance, and we should do everything possible to work for the betterment of the Nigerian People. The truth is, Nigerians don’t care who is leading them, provided things are working well for everyone. Political leaders need to do the right things that will put food on the table for all Nigerians.