The troubling security situation in Nigeria has been downplayed by Boris Johnson, the former prime minister of the United Kingdom.
“I feel perfectly safe in Nigeria,” Johnson declared last week during his keynote speech at Governor Hope Uzodimma’s Imo State Economic Summit 2025.
According to the Daily Independent, he disregarded unfavorable security assessments that had been made prior to his visit to Owerri, the capital of Imo State.
In response, however, the American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) voiced their displeasure with the former prime minister’s statement, which they deemed an insult to the victims of Nigeria’s instability.
According to AVID President Chief Sylvester Onyia, the organization has issued a challenge to Mr. Johnson: visit each state in the nation on land without security escorts before making any comments about the country’s security situation.
Johnson was reminded in the statement that just 48 hours prior to his provocative comment in Owerri, 18 passengers had been abducted on the Imo/Abia border community by gunmen.
The Advance Team of Governor Alex Otti of Abia State was ambushed by bandits on its route to Owerri airport a few hours before the jamboree, and AVID pondered whether Johnson “was aware of that.”
“How come Gov. Alex Otti’s Advance Team was attacked two days before that day if the South East is really as peaceful as Johnson claims?” it said in part.
AVID claimed that Johnson was brought in to clean up Nigeria’s reputation after the country’s Christian genocide and ongoing bloodshed.
“What was your compensation for making that shameful remark?” AVID asked.
A previous prime minister of the United Kingdom choosing to disprove a travel warning given by his country for financial gain is disgraceful, according to AVID.
It served as a sobering reminder to Johnson that his statement stood in stark contrast to the US viewpoint, which has confirmed the escalating instability and murders in Nigeria using its extensive intelligence collection capabilities.
Is Johnson attempting to disprove President Trump’s claims about the troubling instability in Nigeria? Has he decided to lie in order to support the corrupt and inept leadership of Nigeria?
He says he feels safe in Nigeria; I say he should take a land trip from Imo State to Borno State to prove it.
As long as Nigeria continues to provide oil and gas, England will continue to reap the benefits of innocent Nigerians’ blood. The murder of Christians in Nigeria is an issue that Boris Johnson has consistently refrained from condemning. They haven’t spoken out against it.
His remark belittled the suffering of the many innocent Nigerians who have lost their lives in recent years. Nigeria is seen as a potential market for Britain. They are willing to put Nigeria through any kind of trouble if it means they can take advantage of Nigeria’s rich resources.
In regards to Nigeria, Britain has perpetually been at odds with history. The murder of innocent Nigerians has been legitimized by Boris Johnson’s acts.
AVID criticized Johnson’s statement, saying it hurt all Nigerians, and he urged his countrymen to stand up to egotistical rulers who want to keep them under colonial rule forever.
The time has come for Nigerians to stand up and demand change. The colonizers can no longer restrain us. British officials have chosen to ignore the plight of Nigerian bandits.
“Using public funds to shop for international image launderers” was another reason Governor Hope Uzodinma was criticized by AVID.
“It is disheartening to see Governor Hope Uzodinma diverting funds meant for the people of Imo to pay for out-of-date agents who travel to Nigeria to spread falsehoods about innocent Nigerians,”
During the ceremony, the former prime minister had mentioned, “I want you to know that when I decided to come to Owerri, I read some things, and there were people saying, ‘There may be some security problems in Nigeria.'” Did you hear about that? Despite this, I insisted on going.
“And I must inquire: are you at ease during this conference today?” It is safe for all of us. And I am very secure. I appreciate your efforts, Governor.
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