Senator representing Kano South, Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, has criticised recent comments by United States Senator Ted Cruz on Nigeria’s security situation, warning that portraying the country’s challenges through a narrow religious lens risks deepening divisions and undermining efforts to restore peace.
In a statement issued on Friday, Kawu said attempts to characterise Nigeria’s complex security crisis as a conflict targeted solely at one religious group misrepresent realities on the ground and could encourage policies that do not reflect the country’s security dynamics.
He noted that the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump had previously removed Nigeria from the United States’ list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC), arguing that the decision reflected diplomatic engagement and assessments made at the time.
According to the lawmaker, Senator Cruz’s repeated calls for Nigeria to be redesignated appear to ignore the multifaceted nature of the country’s insecurity, which affects citizens across religious and ethnic divides.
“Our security challenges are not confined to one faith or one region. Terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal groups have attacked churches, mosques, schools, markets and entire communities without regard to religion,” he said.
Kawu cautioned that framing the crisis principally as religious persecution could inflame tensions, weaken interfaith relations and undermine ongoing efforts by Nigerian authorities and local communities to promote peace and reconciliation.
He urged Christians in Nigeria and around the world to critically examine the facts and reject narratives capable of fostering religious polarisation.
According to him, genuine partners of Nigeria should support initiatives that strengthen national unity, interfaith cooperation, sustainable development and respect for the country’s sovereignty rather than promote narratives that divide Nigerians.
The senator also paid tribute to members of the country’s security agencies, noting that Christians and Muslims continue to serve side by side in confronting terrorism, insurgency, kidnapping and banditry across the country.
He said overlooking those shared sacrifices in favour of divisive political narratives does a disservice to Nigerians who have suffered the consequences of insecurity irrespective of their faith.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s sovereignty, Kawu warned against what he described as attempts by foreign political actors to exploit the country’s internal security challenges for ideological or political purposes.
He called on the international community, diplomatic partners, media organisations and Nigerians of all religious and ethnic backgrounds to support efforts aimed at promoting peace, national unity, security and sustainable development.