Most Terrorists in Nigeria are Foreigners, Akpabio

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has stated that over 70 percent of the people causing security issues in Nigeria are foreigners.

Mr. Akpabio made this statement during Thursday's plenary. He was responding to criticism about his support for a bill that aims to decriminalise attempted suicide. This bill passed second reading in the Senate on Tuesday.

The bill is designed to remove the criminal label from attempted suicide. It will also create a legal framework for suicide prevention and support for those affected.

Additionally, the bill looks to resolve the conflict between current laws that punish suicide attempts and the National Mental Health Act, which calls for medical help during mental health crises.

Since the bill passed its second reading, some critics have accused Mr. Akpabio of being biased against Islam. They particularly pointed out his insistence that people who attempt suicide should be jailed.

Critics feel his stance might target suicide bombers and terrorists who identify as Muslims. In response, Mr. Akpabio denied any bias against any religion. He said the criticism was politically motivated and aimed at damaging his reputation as he competes for the Senate presidency of the 11th National Assembly.

He insisted that terrorism does not represent either Islam or Christianity. He said, "I want you to know that terrorists are not Muslims. Terrorists are not Christians. Terrorists are human beings who believe in taking their lives and the lives of others."

He explained that many areas in Nigeria do not support suicide bombing. Some people, he said, engage in such acts due to drugs or financial issues. He added that these people do not belong to any religion.

Mr. Akpabio noted that Islam forbids suicide and killing others. He pointed out that the Quran clearly warns against taking one’s own life. He said, "The Muslim religion that I know forbids suicide. It forbids killing. The Muslim religion that I know does not even allow somebody to take his own life."

He continued, "If you commit suicide, you will not enter into paradise."

The Senate President accused his critics of misinterpreting his views. He said that most people causing insecurity in Nigeria are not citizens. He added, "More than 70 percent are not Nigerians, those who are destabilising the security of this country. You need to know that."

He stressed that lawmakers must not encourage young people to take their own lives. He said, "When they come here, there is no way we can sit as fathers and mothers and then encourage our children to go and commit suicide."

Mr. Akpabio pointed out that attempted suicide is still a crime under Nigeria’s laws. He believes the new bill aims to modernise the law. He wants to separate people with mental health issues from those who attempt suicide while in a sound state of mind.

He said, "The young people who are talking that it should not be a criminal offence are being modern. You have to distinguish between suicide committed by people who are mentally disturbed and suicide intentionally committed by people who are physically sound."

Mr. Akpabio urged critics to pay attention to Senate discussions before commenting. He said the National Assembly is focused on making laws that benefit the country.

He rejected the notion that suicide bombers could achieve their goals of going to paradise. He said, "Anyone that thinks that he’s committing suicide by killing others because he wants to go to heaven and see virgins will not find any virgins because the religion already says that if you commit suicide, you cannot go to that heaven."

The Senate President described the criticism as politically motivated. He said lawmakers can disagree during debates. He added, "I don’t like the idea of people sitting down on television and trying to misinterpret what we discuss here in the Senate."

Mr. Akpabio highlighted his support for both Muslims and Christians. He mentioned sponsoring thousands of Muslims on pilgrimage while he was governor. He also supported Christians travelling to holy sites in Rome and Jerusalem.

He stated, "The Senate President believes strongly in the Christian religion and believes strongly in the Muslim religion. Even as a governor, I sponsored 5,800 Muslims to the Holy Land, and I know I sponsored more than 10,000 Christians to also go to Rome and also go to Jerusalem."

He concluded by saying most of his staff are Muslims. He said, "You’ll see that more than 65 percent of them are Muslims. There’s no way I would talk down on the Muslim religion."

Terrorism in Nigeria

Nigeria has faced terrorism and insecurity for over ten years, especially in the North-east. Groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have killed thousands, displaced millions, and destroyed communities.

The Boko Haram crisis started in 2009 and has turned into a major security concern. It includes attacks on civilians, military bases, schools, and places of worship. The conflict has spread to neighbouring countries like Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, leading to regional military actions against the insurgents.

Besides the North-east, parts of north-western and north-central Nigeria also face attacks from armed groups, often called bandits. These groups engage in kidnappings for ransom and communal violence. The violence has caused deaths, displacement, destruction, and disrupted farming and other economic activities.

Nigeria has also seen suicide bombings, especially during the peak of the Boko Haram crisis. Such attacks hit crowded public areas like markets, mosques, churches, and transport hubs, leading to civilian casualties and increasing fear among residents.

Despite military interventions by past governments, insurgent groups still threaten parts of the country. There are worries about armed groups moving across porous borders in the Lake Chad region and the wider Sahel.