Omokri Counters, U.S. Mayor Appeals, JNI Warns As Reactions Trail Ted Cruz’s Boko Haram Claim

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Following allegations by United States Senator Ted Cruz that the Nigerian government may be sponsoring Boko Haram insurgency, reactions have continued to trail the claim, with former presidential aide Reno Omokri dismissing it as “false, unfair, and lacking any credible evidence,” while U.S. Mayor Mike Arnold made a call for unity, and Jama’at Nasril Islam (JNI’s), Professor Khalid Aliyu warned against dangerous narratives.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Omokri was joined by the former Republican Mayor of Blanco, Texas, Mike Arnold, and the Secretary-General of JNI, Professor Khalid Aliyu. Each speaker addressed the issue from a distinct standpoint, challenging the credibility and intent behind the U.S. lawmaker’s statement.

Omokri, reacting sharply, said Senator Cruz’s comments were misleading and damaging to Nigeria’s international reputation, insisting that no Nigerian government official was aiding terrorism.

“A genocide is when you have a deliberate act of policy by a state actor or people connected to state actors against a particular ethnicity or religion. The claim is not true. So, if you ask me whether there is genocide in Nigeria, of course there isn’t. However, if you believe that Nigerian state officials are facilitating terror, mention them, name them. Help us name them,” Omokri said.

He accused Cruz of acting on misinformation, noting that such allegations could hinder Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.

“I believe Senator Cruz means well — that’s my personal belief — but he doesn’t have the right information. If he knows the names of Nigerian officials who are facilitating genocide, he should name and shame them, because he claimed to be aware of them,” Omokri added.

Omokri further argued that Nigeria’s current security challenges were exacerbated by past U.S. foreign policies.

“In Nigeria, due to policies unleashed by the Obama administration, we have had security issues, and we are fighting them. We’re doing the best that we can,” he said.

In his remarks, U.S. Mayor Mike Arnold adopted a more conciliatory tone, presenting a report titled “Formal Statement on Widespread Violence and Displacement in Nigeria.” He revealed that he had travelled with his team across various Nigerian cities, villages, and remote encampments, meeting with governors, ministers, traditional rulers, and former presidents.

“I believe Nigeria has a bright future. I believe in Christian-Muslim harmony. I believe good people of every tribe and faith must stand against this evil. But first, we must name it,” Arnold said.

While clarifying that he did not speak on behalf of the U.S. government, Arnold expressed confidence that President Donald Trump would be “very amenable” to supporting Nigeria if formally approached.

“I am pretty certain that President Trump would be very amenable to providing all the assistance that Nigeria needs. If Nigeria asks for it — again, I don’t represent the government — but I can see what he’s been bringing is peace. That’s his mission, and he could probably help here,” Arnold explained.

He emphasized that the war against terrorism required both national determination and international partnership.

“There are victims on both sides. The way forward is to stand on the truth together and fight those that would kill us if we don’t follow them. Christians and Muslims have a common enemy. There’s no reason there should be quibbling. It should bring unity to this country to fight a common enemy and not fight each other,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of Jama’at Nasril Islam, Prof. Khalid Aliyu, cautioned against claims of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, warning that such unfounded assertions could deepen national divisions.

“It sounds really very strange for such an unverified claim that there is Christian genocide in Nigeria. It is very dangerous to change the narrative from criminality to ethnic or religious identity,” Prof. Aliyu said.

He described Senator Cruz’s allegation as baseless and divisive.

“Lumping a baseless claim onto certain people does not hold water. This claim is intended to create bad blood and to further deepen the challenges we are going through in this country,” he added.

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