The Federal Government has strongly denied recent claims by some international media platforms and online commentators alleging that terrorists in Nigeria are carrying out a systematic genocide against Christians.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the allegations as "false, baseless, despicable, and divisive," insisting that Nigeria’s security crisis is not rooted in religion.
"The Federal Government strongly condemns and categorically refutes recent allegations by certain international platforms and online influencers suggesting that terrorists operating in Nigeria are engaged in a systematic genocide against Christians," the statement read.
Idris emphasized that Nigeria’s security challenges should not be distorted to appear as a religious conflict, noting that victims of terrorism span across all religious and ethnic lines.
"Portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a targeted campaign against a single religious group is a gross misrepresentation of reality. These criminals target all who reject their murderous ideology, regardless of faith," he said.
He added that both Muslims, Christians, and those who do not identify with any religion have all suffered attacks at the hands of terrorist groups operating within the country.
Highlighting recent security gains, Idris revealed that between May 2023 and February 2025, Nigerian security forces neutralised over 13,500 terrorists and rescued nearly 10,000 hostages. He also confirmed that the top leadership of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU), an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group, was recently captured in a successful counter-terrorism operation.
"In the fight against terrorism, Nigeria has made significant strides," Idris said. "To date, we have successfully prosecuted seven batches of Boko Haram suspects, securing over 700 convictions."
He argued that narratives painting Christianity as endangered in Nigeria ignore the nation’s inclusive political and security leadership structure, pointing out that Christians currently head both the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police Force.
“It is doubtful that foreign interlopers into Nigerian 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 stated.
Idris also cited international recognition of Nigeria’s interfaith harmony, referencing the March 2025 Commonwealth Peace Prize awarded to Rev. Dr. James Movel Wuye and Imam Dr. Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa, co-founders of the Interfaith Mediation Centre.
Calling for responsible journalism, the minister urged international media and commentators to avoid sensationalism and support Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.
“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,” he concluded.
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