By Charles Maduka
The Federal Government has dismissed allegations circulating in some international media and online platforms suggesting that Christians in Nigeria are being systematically targeted in a religious genocide.
In a statement signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the government described the claims as false, baseless, and divisive, saying they grossly misrepresent the country’s security situation.
“Portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a targeted campaign against one religious group is inaccurate and harmful. Terrorists and criminals attack all who oppose their violent ideology, regardless of faith,” Idris said.
He stressed that Muslims, Christians, and people of other beliefs have all suffered from terrorism, noting that Nigeria has recorded significant successes in its counter-terrorism efforts. Between May 2023 and February 2025, more than 13,500 terrorists and criminals were neutralised, and nearly 10,000 hostages rescued in operations nationwide.
Idris also cited the arrest of key leaders of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, an Al-Qaeda affiliate in Nigeria, as proof of ongoing progress. “Only last month, the top leadership of ANSARU was captured in a well-coordinated operation,” he stated.
He further noted the inclusiveness of Nigeria’s leadership, pointing out that the current heads of the Armed Forces and the Police Force are Christians. “This underscores the inclusivity of our national leadership,” he said.
According to Idris, the military and police have demonstrated accountability, securing over 700 convictions through seven batches of prosecutions and moving into an eighth round.
Reaffirming President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to security and justice, Idris said the administration will continue working to ensure peace and stability.
Highlighting Nigeria’s strong tradition of interfaith cooperation, he said the country is home to some of the largest Muslim and Christian congregations in the world. He pointed to the recent Commonwealth Peace Prize awarded to Rev. Dr. James Movel Wuye and Imam Dr. Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa for their decades-long interfaith work as evidence of Nigeria’s commitment to peacebuilding.
Idris urged international media and observers to avoid sensationalism and respect facts, saying that divisive narratives only undermine Nigeria’s efforts to combat terrorism and criminality.
Leave a Reply