Former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mike Ejiofor, has argued that terrorist groups operating in Nigeria should not be seen as representatives of Islam, despite their claims about religion.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television while discussing Nigeria’s security challenges and the recent drawdown of United States troops, Ejiofor said the attacks across the country affect people of different faiths and ethnic backgrounds, not just one religious group.
According to him, although some communities have suffered heavily from insecurity, the violence should not be interpreted as a conflict directed solely against Christians or Muslims. He stressed that terrorists have targeted Nigerians regardless of their religion or ethnicity.
Ejiofor stated, “They have said they want to Islamize Nigeria, but they are not even practicing Muslims from the studies we have had.” He added that findings available to security agencies suggest the criminals do not observe the principles or ethics associated with Islam.
He explained that the groups do not conduct themselves like practicing Muslims, noting that their actions are driven by criminal motives rather than genuine religious beliefs. He therefore described them as criminal elements who should be brought to justice.
The former DSS director also cautioned against narratives capable of deepening religious divisions in Nigeria. Reacting to claims that the violence is solely about attacks on Christians, Ejiofor maintained that such interpretations risk politicizing the country’s security challenges.
He urged Nigerians to remain united despite their religious and ethnic differences, emphasizing that national unity is essential in confronting terrorism and other security threats confronting the country……See More
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