Former Speaker of the House of Representatives and ex-Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, has said terrorists operating in Nigeria do not represent any religion, describing them as criminals who attack innocent citizens across all faiths.

Tambuwal said those behind violent attacks across the country are common criminals with no respect for religious beliefs, as their actions affect Muslims, Christians and people of other backgrounds alike.

He described Nigeria’s security situation as very concerning and alarming, warning political leaders and the international community against politicising the country’s worsening insecurity.

The former governor made the remarks on Saturday while speaking with journalists in Sokoto, following Nigeria’s recent designation as a Country of Particular Concern by United States President Donald Trump.

Tambuwal described the designation as quite unfortunate, arguing that it does not reflect the true nature and complexity of Nigeria’s security challenges.

He said he believed President Trump and the American government may not have fully understood the Nigerian situation, stressing that what Nigeria is facing is not a religious crisis but a security crisis affecting citizens of all faiths and backgrounds.

According to him, the activities of armed groups in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and other states show clearly that they are criminals who attack everyone in their path.

He noted that Nigerians can no longer feel safe in places of worship, adding that the insecurity is not about a particular religion or section of the country but a national problem affecting everyone.

Tambuwal aligned himself with the Vatican’s position on Nigeria, noting that the Pope had rightly acknowledged that both Christians and Muslims are victims of widespread insecurity in the country.

He stressed that insecurity has become a national challenge that cuts across politics, ethnicity and religion, insisting that urgent collective action is required.

The former governor called on the United States and other international partners to reconsider their stance and instead support the administration of President Bola Tinubu in addressing the crisis.

He said the issue was not about President Tinubu as an individual, party politics or the APC, but about Nigeria as a country that needs support from its friends to overcome insecurity.

Drawing from his experience as a former governor, Tambuwal recalled how all 36 state governors, irrespective of party affiliation, once united to support the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari in procuring military assets to strengthen national security.

However, he alleged that Nigeria was unable to fully deploy the Tucano aircraft because the United States did not supply all the necessary components.

Tambuwal said about one billion dollars was taken from the consolidated revenue fund at the time to acquire the aircraft, stressing that the decision was never about party politics.

He added that the Nigerian Air Force did not receive the full complement of the Tucano assets, which limited their effective deployment.

He urged Nigerian leaders at all levels to rise above political differences and work together to confront the insecurity threatening lives and livelihoods across the country.

According to him, everyone is affected by the crisis and it requires Nigerian solutions, supported by the international community.