Richard Mills, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, has urged caution against interpreting terrorist incidents in Nigeria through a religious lens. He emphasized that victims of violence and insurgency span across different faiths, ethnicities, and regions, noting that a significant number of those affected are Muslims.
Addressing reporters in Abuja, Mills described every casualty as deeply regrettable and underscored that terrorism transcends religious and ethnic boundaries.
“Any loss of life is profoundly tragic. Those familiar with the situation understand that terrorism does not discriminate based on religion or tribe,” the ambassador stated.
“Individuals from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds are falling victim to these attacks. In fact, groups like Boko Haram and ISIS have caused more Muslim casualties than Christian ones. The suffering is widespread and not confined to any single community. Regardless, even one life lost is too many, and it is imperative that we collaborate to end this violence.”
These comments come amid ongoing discussions about the religious aspects of insecurity in Nigeria, sparked by recent assertions from U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who claimed that Christians are being specifically targeted and killed in the country.
In response, Ambassador Mills highlighted that the violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and other troubled areas is often rooted in intricate socio-economic and communal disputes rather than purely religious motivations.
“Take the Middle Belt, for instance, where many displaced farmers-predominantly Christians-have clashed with herdsmen. However, it would be inaccurate to label these conflicts as attacks aimed solely at one religious group,” he clarified.
The ambassador also praised the efforts of President Bola Tinubu’s government in enhancing security and curbing violence in vulnerable regions.
“Ending this crisis requires joint efforts. The Nigerian government, under President Tinubu, has recently increased security measures and allocated more resources to these areas, leading to noticeable improvements in recent weeks. We commend these initiatives and anticipate further progress.”
Reiterating the United States’ support for Nigeria’s peace and unity, Mills celebrated the nation’s enduring legacy of religious harmony.
“Nigeria has a rich history of diverse religious, ethnic, and tribal communities coexisting peacefully for centuries. With a population roughly divided equally between Christians and Muslims, this balance has never been a source of division and should remain so.”
