By Atoyebi Nike
Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has rejected allegations that the Nigerian government is sponsoring Boko Haram, calling them “false, unfair, and lacking credible evidence.”
Omokri made the remarks at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday. He appeared alongside Mike Arnold, Republican Mayor of Blanco, Texas, and Prof. Khalid Aliyu, Secretary-General of Jama’at Nasril Islam (JNI).
The event followed comments by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who alleged that Nigerian officials may be aiding Boko Haram. Omokri challenged Cruz to provide evidence, saying genocide involves deliberate state-backed actions against a group.
“If he knows officials involved, he should name and shame them,” Omokri said.
He argued that Cruz’s claims misrepresent Nigeria’s situation and harm counterterrorism efforts. Omokri also blamed Obama-era policies for Boko Haram’s rise and said the current administration is tackling insecurity through de-radicalisation and reforms.
Mayor Arnold backed Omokri’s position, stating that the Nigerian government does not sponsor Boko Haram. He pointed to “repented Boko Haram camps,” but Omokri clarified that these are rehabilitation centres for abducted and indoctrinated children, not shelters for fighters.
Citing the Global Terrorism Index, Omokri said killings have fallen from 7,512 in 2015 to 565 in 2024. Prof. Aliyu also dismissed claims of “Christian genocide,” warning that such narratives could worsen tensions.
Omokri urged foreign leaders to verify information before making broad claims. He said there is no evidence linking Nigerian officials to Boko Haram and called on the international community to “stand with Nigeria, not stigmatise it.”
Senator Cruz had introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, which seeks sanctions on officials allegedly complicit in attacks. Nigeria’s government and lawmakers have rejected the claims and called for a joint fact-finding mission with the U.S.
