- Safiu Kehinde
The Federal Government has faulted and strongly condemned claims of genocidal attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria.
As contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, certain international platforms and online influencers had alleged that that terrorists operating in Nigeria are engaged in a systematic genocide against Christians.
Idris, in reaction refuted the claim, describing it as false, baseless, despicable, and divisive.
While admitting to the security challenges in the country, the Minister noted that the claims are gross misrepresentation of reality.
“Portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a targeted campaign against a single religious group is a gross misrepresentation of reality. While Nigeria, like many countries, has faced security challenges, including acts of terrorism perpetrated by criminals, couching the situation as a deliberate, systematic attack on Christians is inaccurate and harmful.
“It oversimplifies a complex, multifaceted security environment and plays into the hands of terrorists and criminals who seek to divide Nigerians along religious or ethnic lines.” He wrote.
Idris further maintained that the terrorists are not convinced to any particular religious or ethnic community as they target anyone who reject their ideology regardless of faith.
The Minister however reiterated the FG’s commitment to completely degrading terrorist groups and securing the lives and property of all citizens.
He highlighted the accomplishment of the Nigerian Armed Force and Police over the past two years which included the arrest of top leaders of the Ansaru terrorists group, Nigeria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate.
“The violent activities of terrorist groups are not confined to any particular religious or ethnic community. These criminals target all who reject their murderous ideology, regardless of faith. Muslims, Christians, and even those who do not identify with any religion have suffered at their hands.
“The Federal Government remains unwavering in its commitment to completely degrading terrorist groups and securing the lives and property of all citizens, and this resolve is already yielding results. Between May 2023 and February 2025 alone, over 13,543 terrorists and criminals were neutralized and nearly 10,000 hostages rescued in multiple military operations across the country.
“Only last month, the top leadership of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan – commonly known as ANSARU, Nigeria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate, was captured in a well-coordinated counter-terrorism operation.
“They are: Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Abu Bara’a/Abbas/Mukhtar), the self-styled Emir of ANSARU; and Mahmud al-Nigeri (aka Mallam Mamuda), Abu Bara’s proclaimed Chief of Staff and Deputy.
“In the fight against terrorism, Nigeria has made significant strides in prosecuting Boko Haram suspects.
“To date, we have successfully prosecuted seven batches of suspects, securing over 700 convictions. We are currently moving into our eighth prosecution cycle, further demonstrating our resolve to tackle terrorism and its sponsors.
“These feats underscore the determination and success of our security forces and expose as unfounded the notion that Nigeria is passively tolerating religiously motivated terrorism.” The Minister said.
Idris said the FG remains steadfast in its duty to protect every Nigerian, regardless of ethnic or religious identity, and continues to work with international partners to address the global threat of terrorism.
He disclosed that the Nigerian Armed Forces and Police have in display of accountability conducted several court martials and prosecutions of erring officers to hold their officials accountable for any misconduct.
This, according to the Minister, underscored the importance of discipline and adherence to the rule of law within our security agencies.
Meanwhile, Idris noted that Nigeria is a multi-religious state with large populations of both Christians and Muslims.
He affirmed that Christianity is neither endangered nor marginalised, noting that the heads of the Nigerian Armed Force and the Nigerian Police Force are both Christians.
While reiterating the President Bola Tinubu-led administration’s commitment to justice and enhanced security, Idris held that the Nigerian story is that of resilience, diversity, and a globally acknowledged commitment to peaceful coexistence.
He cited the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize award given to two Nigerian religious leaders, Rev. Dr. James Wuye and Imam Dr. Muhammad Ashafa, co-founders of the Interfaith Mediation Centre, as an example of Nigeria’s interfaith harmony.
The Minister therefore urged international media and other commentators to avoid ignorance, sensationalism, and divisive rhetoric.
He charged them to rather support Nigeria’s ongoing efforts in the fight against terrorism and all forms of criminality.
“We are home to one of the largest Muslim communities in the world, alongside some of the biggest Pentecostal churches and the largest Anglican congregation globally. Christianity is neither endangered nor marginalised in Nigeria.
“It is doubtful that foreign interlopers into Nigerian affairs are aware that the current heads of both the Armed Forces and the Police Force are Christians—a fact that underscores the inclusivity of our national leadership.
“Under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, our administration remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding justice and enhancing security.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those who threaten our nation’s peace and stability are brought to justice.
“The Nigerian story is not one of religious genocide or persecution. Rather, it is a story of resilience, diversity, and a globally acknowledged commitment to peaceful coexistence.
“In March of this year, the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize was awarded to two Nigerian religious leaders, Rev. Dr. James Movel Wuye and Imam Dr. Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa, co-founders of the Interfaith Mediation Centre.
“Their decades-long work to promote trust and tolerance across faiths now serves as a model for peacebuilding in all 56 Commonwealth countries.
“This means that Nigeria is not only exporting culture and music to the world—we are also exporting proven frameworks for interfaith harmony.
“We urge the international media and other commentators to act with responsibility and have respect for facts.
“All stakeholders are advised to avoid ignorance, sensationalism, and divisive rhetoric, and instead support Nigeria’s ongoing efforts in the fight against terrorism and all forms of criminality.” The Minister added.