Former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr Yemi Farounbi, has expressed concern over Nigeria’s escalating security crisis and the diplomatic tension it has generated with the United States, according to a report by the Nigerian Tribune.
Speaking in an interview with Deputy Editor Sam Nwaoko, Dr Farounbi said the U.S. decision to list Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern reflects America’s view that Nigeria has consistently failed to uphold the basic principles of religious freedom.
He explained that the designation means the U.S. believes Nigeria has either not guaranteed free worship for all or has allowed groups that violate religious liberty to operate unchecked.
This places Nigeria in the same category as countries such as Iran, North Korea, China and Russia nations previously cited for severe religious restrictions.
Dr Farounbi argued that the Nigerian government now appears to be responding out of fear of the implications of the designation, rather than addressing the core issues fuelling insecurity.
According to him, the militant groups destabilising the country are being financed by external sponsors.
He noted that these groups do not have the financial strength to acquire the sophisticated weapons they carry, which indicates outside backing.
He added that both Nigerian officials and military authorities are believed to have information about these financiers, and he is confident that the United States also possesses detailed intelligence.
He recalled that the United Arab Emirates once offered Nigeria a list of these financiers, but the offer was reportedly turned down.
Accepting the list, he said, could have helped block funding channels from bank cards to foreign currency transfers and weakened terrorist operations. By failing to act, Nigeria ended up appearing complicit.
Dr Farounbi further revealed that in some illegal mining sites, especially in Niger State and other areas with weak governance, certain Chinese nationals have been identified as sponsors of groups used to protect or expand their interests.
He suggested that China’s recent comments might be an attempt to defend its economic stakes or simply diplomatic posturing but stressed that Nigeria must focus on fixing its internal problems.
On the human toll, Dr Farounbi acknowledged that terrorism is widespread and that Christian communities have suffered heavily. However, he emphasised that the violence is not targeted solely at Christians.
Quoting him directly, he said, “We have not had one instance in which a Christian had killed a Muslim in the name of Jesus Christ.”
He added that liberal, peace-loving Muslims who have lived peacefully alongside Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and other groups for decades are also being killed.
Dr Farounbi concluded that the responsibility rests squarely on Nigeria to confront and end the ongoing security crisis. View, More,
Explore More News By Using The Button.