The Federal Government has strongly dismissed recent allegations by some international platforms and online commentators alleging that Christians in Nigeria are victims of a systematic genocide perpetrated by terrorists.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the claims as “false, baseless, despicable, and divisive,” stressing that they distort the complex nature of Nigeria’s security challenges.
According to Idris, portraying terrorism in Nigeria as a targeted attack against one religious group “oversimplifies a multifaceted security environment and plays into the hands of extremists seeking to divide Nigerians along ethnic and religious lines.”
He emphasized that terrorists and criminal groups target all citizens who reject their violent ideology, irrespective of religion or ethnicity. “Muslims, Christians, and even those without religious affiliation have all suffered at their hands,” the Minister stated.
Highlighting the government’s counter-terrorism efforts, Idris disclosed that between May 2023 and February 2025, security forces neutralized over 13,500 terrorists and criminals while rescuing nearly 10,000 hostages nationwide. He added that the recent capture of top ANSARU leaders, including its self-styled Emir Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Abu Bara’a), demonstrates the effectiveness of ongoing operations.
“These feats expose as unfounded the notion that Nigeria is tolerating religiously motivated terrorism,” he said, adding that the Armed Forces and Police have also subjected erring officials to court martials and prosecutions to ensure accountability and discipline.
The Minister further rejected narratives of Christian persecution, sressing that Nigeria is home to some of the world’s largest Muslim and Christian communities. He pointed out that the current heads of both the Armed Forces and the Police are Christians, underscoring inclusivity in national leadership.
On prosecution of terrorists, Idris revealed that the government has so far secured over 700 convictions against Boko Haram suspects across seven trial phases, with the eighth round of prosecutions underway.
He also recalled Nigeria’s recent global recognition for interfaith harmony, citing the Commonwealth Peace Prize awarded in March 2025 to Nigerian clerics Rev. Dr. James Movel Wuye and Imam Dr. Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa for their pioneering work in interfaith mediation.
“The Nigerian story is not one of religious genocide,” Idris insisted. “It is a story of resilience, diversity, and peaceful coexistence. Nigeria is not only exporting culture and music to the world, we are also exporting proven frameworks for peacebuilding.”
He urged the international media and commentators to respect facts and avoid sensationalism that could inflame divisions.
“The Tinubu administration remains committed to protecting every Nigerian, regardless of faith or ethnicity, and will continue to pursue terrorists and criminals until peace and stability are secured,” Idris concluded.
