The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly rejected recent reports claiming the targeted killings of Christians in the country, calling these accusations part of a deliberate misinformation campaign aimed at influencing foreign governments, particularly the United States. These false claims seek to pressure the U.S. government to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged violence against Christians.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges, the Ministry emphasized that the violence is not driven by religious bias nor aimed at any specific religious group. Many of the incidents involving insurgency and banditry in northern Nigeria, a predominantly Muslim region, are not targeted at any one faith but are instead part of broader criminal activities. The government stressed that any interpretation of these events as religious persecution is misleading.
Nigeria, a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation, remains committed to safeguarding the lives and properties of all citizens, regardless of their faith or ethnicity. The security issues facing the country are complex, encompassing criminality, terrorism, and communal clashes, such as farmer/herder conflicts, which have no religious undertones.
Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, the government has made considerable efforts to address these security concerns through a combination of military action, intelligence gathering, and community engagement. Significant progress has been made in curbing the activities of bandits and insurgents. Additionally, the government is implementing both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, including the creation of a Ministry of Livestock Development and the appointment of a Special Adviser to manage livestock reforms, aimed at resolving disputes between farmers and pastoral herders.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the international community to exercise caution, verify information before drawing conclusions, and avoid spreading unverified claims that could further destabilize Nigeria. The government reiterated its commitment to religious tolerance and coexistence and called for constructive dialogue and support in addressing the nation’s security issues.
