BY TEDDY NWANUNOBI

The American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) has strongly criticised former British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, for downplaying Nigeria’s growing insecurity during a visit to the country.

Johnson dismissed negative security reports that had preceded his trip, saying that, “I feel perfectly safe in Nigeria.”

New National Star reported that Johnson was in Owerri, Imo State last week, where he delivered a keynote address at the Imo State Economic Summit 2025, hosted by Governor Hope Uzodinma.

Describing the comment as an insult to the victims of insecurity in Nigeria, AVID, in a statement signed by its President, Chief Sylvester Onyia, challenged Johnson to travel across Nigeria without security escorts before making assertions about the country’s safety.

It highlighted recent violent incidents to underscore the gravity of insecurity in Nigeria, including the abduction of 18 passengers on the Imo/Abia border less than 48 hours before Johnson’s Owerri visit. They also referenced an attack on the advance team of Abia State Governor Alex Otti while en route to Owerri airport.

AVID accused Johnson of “laundering Nigeria’s image” amid the ongoing killings and attacks, questioning whether the former British leader had been paid to make such statements. They also criticised him for contradicting travel warnings issued by the UK and for disregarding the United States’ intelligence reports confirming rising insecurity in Nigeria.

“If he feels safe in Nigeria as he claims, let him travel from Imo State to Borno State on land to see how secure he truly is,” AVID stated.

The group condemned the former PM for what they described as a mockery of the grief of victims of violence in Nigeria, noting that Britain has historically benefited from Nigeria’s resources while turning a blind eye to attacks on citizens.

AVID also criticised Governor Uzodinma, accusing him of using public funds to “shop for international image launderers” instead of addressing the security and welfare needs of Nigerians.

The veterans’ group concluded that Johnson’s comments were detrimental to Nigerians and called on citizens to reject any attempt by external actors to perpetuate colonial-era influence.

“Nigerians must rise up now and say enough is enough. Colonialists will no longer hold us down,” said.

The situation has prompted the federal government to seek diplomatic aid from the international community.

On November 20, Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, hosted Nigeria’s National Security Advisor (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, at the Pentagon to discuss strategies to solve the problem.