Former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mike Ejiofor, has urged Nigerians to critically assess the motivations behind growing United States interest in the country’s security challenges, arguing that U.S. foreign policy is driven primarily by its national interests.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Monday, July 6, 2026, Ejiofor said every major foreign policy decision by the United States is shaped by its strategic objectives, adding that Nigeria should view increased international engagement from that perspective.
Commenting on earlier statements by the U.S. President about insecurity in Nigeria, Ejiofor said the understanding of the crisis has evolved. “The US President said Christians were being killed. But it has turned out that not only Christians are being killed; Muslims, ethnic groups and everybody are being attacked irrespective of religion or ethnicity,” he said.
Ejiofor maintained that terrorism and banditry have affected people across religious, ethnic and regional lines, stressing that Nigeria’s security response should address the broader threat rather than focus on a single group. He added that while international cooperation is important, Nigeria must continue strengthening its intelligence and law enforcement institutions.
