The Federal Government has strongly rejected recent allegations circulating on international media platforms and by online influencers, which suggest that Christian communities in the country are being systematically targeted in a religious genocide.
In a press statement signed on Sunday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the Federal Government described the allegations as “false, baseless, despicable, and divisive,” adding that they present a “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,” Idris said.
The minister stressed that terrorists’ activities in Nigeria affect people of all faiths.
“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,” he added.
According to the statement, Nigeria has made gains in its counter-terrorism efforts.
The minister said between May 2023 and February 2025, over 13,500 terrorists and criminals were neutralised, and nearly 10,000 hostages were rescued in various operations across the country.
Idris pointed to the recent arrest of key leaders of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, a known Al-Qaeda affiliate in Nigeria, as further evidence of progress.
“Only last month, the top leadership of ANSARU 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,” Idris noted.
The minister dismissed the notion that the government is allowing religiously motivated violence to persist.
“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,” he said.
Reinforcing the inclusive nature of Nigeria’s leadership, Idris highlighted the religious diversity at the top of Nigeria’s security structure.
“It is doubtful that foreign interlopers into Nigeria’s 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,” he noted.
He also stressed the efforts made by the military and police in upholding accountability. “The Nigerian Armed Forces and the police have demonstrated their commitment to accountability by conducting several court martials and prosecutions to hold their officials accountable for any misconduct.
“To date, we have successfully prosecuted seven batches of suspects, securing over 700 convictions. We are currently moving into our eighth prosecution cycle,” Idris said.
Idris reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to security and justice, saying, “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 minister pointed to Nigeria’s strong tradition of religious diversity and interfaith cooperation.
“Nigeria is a multi-religious state with large populations of both Christians and Muslims. 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.”
He cited the recent international recognition of Nigeria’s interfaith efforts as evidence of its commitment to peace.
“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.”
Concluding the statement, Idris called on international observers and media outlets to report responsibly and avoid sensationalism.
“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 government’s response appeared to address ongoing concerns about religious freedom in Nigeria, which in previous years led the US Department of State to designate the country as a Country of Particular Concern. That designation was later lifted, despite continued recommendations from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.
It would be recalled that in March this year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs debunked claims of targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria, describing them as misleading and aimed at influencing foreign governments, particularly the United States, to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.
