The Federal Government has dismissed as false and divisive reports by some international platforms and online commentators alleging that Christians in Nigeria are facing a systematic genocide.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said such claims misrepresent the country’s security challenges and play into the hands of terrorists seeking to divide Nigerians along religious lines.
“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,” Idris stated.
He noted that Nigeria’s security agencies have intensified counter-terrorism operations nationwide, neutralizing over 13,500 terrorists and rescuing nearly 10,000 hostages between May 2023 and February 2025. Last month, the military captured the top leadership of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU), an Al-Qaeda affiliate in Nigeria, including its self-styled emir, Mahmud Muhammad Usman, and his deputy, Mahmud al-Nigeri.
“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 added.
Idris stressed that Nigeria is a multi-religious country where both Islam and Christianity thrive, pointing out that the current heads of the Armed Forces and the Police are Christians. He also highlighted that the nation has successfully prosecuted over 700 Boko Haram suspects across seven batches, with preparations underway for the eighth round of trials.
The minister cited Nigeria’s recent global recognition in peacebuilding, including the March 2025 award of the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize to Rev. Dr. James Movel Wuye and Imam Dr. Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa, co-founders of the Interfaith Mediation Centre.
He urged the international media and commentators to avoid sensationalism and divisive rhetoric, and instead support Nigeria’s efforts in combating terrorism.
“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,” Idris said.
