"Stop the Ambiguity: Omokri and JNI Urge US Lawmaker to Name Terror Sponsors"

Table of Contents

• Challenge to Name Officials
• Dismissal of Claims
• Renewed Scrutiny of Security
• Blame on Obama Administration
• Selective Reporting by Cruz
• Call for Evidence
• Comments from Mike Arnold
• Argument Against Genocide Claims
• Senator Cruz's Intentions
• Improvements in Security Ranking
• Response from Prof Aliyu

Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri has challenged United States Senator, Ted Cruz, former US Mayor, Mike Arnold, and others to publicly identify any government officials known to facilitate terrorism or Christian genocide in Nigeria.

In a related development, the Secretary-General of the Jama’at Nasril Islam (JNI), Prof Khalid Aliyu, dismissed claims made by Ted Cruz that the security situation in Nigeria equates to a calculated genocide against Christians.

These responses arise amid increased scrutiny of the Nigerian government’s management of violent attacks on citizens by extremists, with both international and domestic observers providing varied interpretations of the ongoing crisis.

Omokri issued his challenge during a media roundtable in Abuja, where he also placed blame on the Obama administration for enacting policies that contributed to the Boko Haram insurgency in the country.

He accused U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of selectively citing reports to bolster his call for Nigeria to be designated as a “country of particular concern” regarding religious freedom, asserting that “he chose only reports that supported his agenda.”

Omokri emphasized that while he does not believe genocide is occurring in Nigeria, any allegations that state officials may be facilitating terrorism should be backed by names and evidence.

His comments partially addressed remarks made by Mike Arnold, an independent fact-finder in Nigeria, who claimed that there were targeted violent killings in the country.

However, when pressed to specifically identify the perpetrators based on his findings, Arnold clarified that the alleged genocide is being perpetrated by terrorists against both Christians and Muslims.

In response, Omokri stated, “Claiming that there is genocide in Nigeria defies common sense. This assertion is false, but if you genuinely believe it, do not just make accusations—name them and shame them. Be specific; that is how you can contribute positively to Nigeria.”

“I believe Senator Cruz has good intentions, but he lacks accurate information. If he knows the names of Nigerian officials who are allegedly facilitating this genocide, he should reveal them. He has claimed that he knows who they are,” he added.

“We acknowledge that challenges remain; impunity is not eradicated, but it is a gradual process. We are enhancing the capabilities of the Nigerian Army and Police. We cannot be omnipresent.”

Omokri pointed to improvements in Nigeria’s security ranking on the Global Terrorism Index, noting that the country has moved down from being the third most terrorized nation to eighth place.

He stated, “The number of deaths in Nigeria, according to the Global Terrorism Index, decreased from 7,512 in 2015 to 565 in 2024.”

In his remarks, JNI's Prof Aliyu also characterized Ted Cruz's claims as unfounded and peculiar, stating, “It is truly strange to hear such an unverified assertion that there is Christian genocide in Nigeria. It is extremely dangerous to shift the narrative from criminal activity and associate it with ethnic or religious identities.”

“I believe this claim is designed to incite animosity and exacerbate the challenges we face in this country. There may be a hidden agenda behind such assertions, aimed at hindering our progress out of the difficulties we are currently experiencing.”