Kano, Nigeria Senator representing Kano South Senatorial District, Senator Suleiman A. Kawu Sumaila, OFR, PhD, has expressed concern over recent comments and actions by United States Senator Ted Cruz regarding Nigeria’s security situation, warning that narratives which oversimplify the country’s challenges could deepen divisions and undermine peace efforts.
In a statement, Senator Kawu Sumaila noted that Nigeria’s security challenges are complex and affect citizens of all religious and ethnic backgrounds. He argued that portraying the crisis primarily through a religious lens misrepresents the realities on the ground and risks creating a distorted international perception of the country.
The senator recalled that Nigeria was previously removed from the United States’ “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) list following diplomatic engagements and assessments of the country’s progress, stressing that any renewed campaign to reclassify Nigeria should be based on objective facts rather than political narratives.
He emphasized that terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency have claimed the lives of both Christians and Muslims, with attacks targeting churches, mosques, schools, markets, and communities across the country.
Senator Kawu Sumaila further commended members of Nigeria’s security agencies, regardless of religious affiliation, for their continued sacrifices in defending the nation against criminal and terrorist groups.
He called on Christians, Muslims, and all Nigerians to reject divisive narratives capable of inflaming tensions, urging the international community, diplomatic partners, and the media to support initiatives that promote peace, national unity, interfaith cooperation, security, and sustainable development.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s sovereignty, the senator maintained that the country’s greatest strength lies in the unity and resilience of its diverse population and cautioned against attempts by foreign political actors to exploit Nigeria’s internal challenges for ideological or political purposes.