By peterside Rejoice
The Federal Government has dismissed reports in some international quarters suggesting that Christians in Nigeria are victims of a systematic religious genocide.
In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described such allegations as “false, baseless and a gross misrepresentation of Nigeria’s security challenges.”
He said the violent activities of terrorist groups operating in parts of the country are not targeted at any specific religion or ethnic group but have affected both Muslims and Christians as well as citizens with no religious affiliation.
“There is no religious genocide in Nigeria. The violent activities of terrorist groups are not targeted at any particular religion or ethnic group. Both Muslims and Christians, and even those with no religious affiliation, have been victims of these criminals,” Idris stated.
The minister explained that presenting Nigeria’s security issues as a war against one religion only serves the agenda of terrorists, who thrive on division and hatred.
He noted that significant progress had been recorded in the fight against insurgency and terrorism. According to him, between May 2023 and February 2025, over 13,500 terrorists were neutralised, nearly 10,000 hostages rescued, while the leadership of the al-Qaeda affiliate group, Ansaru, was captured in a major military operation.
“These feats demonstrate that Nigeria is neither passive nor tolerant of terrorism. On the contrary, our security forces are determined and are recording successes every day,” he said.
Idris stressed that Christianity is not endangered in Nigeria, pointing out that the country hosts some of the world’s largest Christian congregations. He further highlighted that the heads of both the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police Force are Christians, a fact he said underscores the inclusivity of the national leadership.
The minister also disclosed that over 700 Boko Haram suspects had been prosecuted through seven trial phases, with arrangements ongoing for the commencement of an eighth phase.
While urging international commentators and foreign media to desist from sensational reporting, Idris said Nigeria’s story is that of resilience and peaceful coexistence, not religious persecution.
He cited the March 2025 Commonwealth Peace Prize jointly awarded to Nigerian clerics, Rev. James Movel Wuye and Imam Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa, for their decades-long interfaith peacebuilding work, as proof that the country remains a symbol of unity in diversity.
“We urge international commentators and media platforms to act responsibly, respect the facts, and avoid sensational narratives that undermine our national unity. Nigeria remains committed to protecting every citizen, regardless of faith or ethnicity,” he said
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