The Federal Government has strongly rejected claims that terrorists in Nigeria are conducting a systematic genocide against Christians, calling the allegations “false, baseless, despicable, and divisive.”
In a statement on Sunday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, condemned recent international and online assertions framing Nigeria’s security crisis as a targeted campaign against a single religious group, describing this as a gross misrepresentation of the facts.
“Portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a deliberate attack on Christians oversimplifies a complex situation and plays into the hands of terrorists who aim to divide Nigerians along religious or ethnic lines,” the statement read.
Idris emphasized that extremists have targeted Nigerians of all faiths, highlighting that Muslims, Christians, and non-religious citizens have all suffered at the hands of terrorists.
Between May 2023 and February 2025, security forces reportedly killed 13,543 terrorists and criminals and rescued nearly 10,000 hostages nationwide. The minister also recalled the recent capture of key leaders of Ansaru, a Nigerian al-Qaeda affiliate, and announced that over 700 Boko Haram suspects have been convicted in multiple trials.
Refuting the genocide narrative, Idris pointed to Nigeria’s religious diversity within its leadership, noting that both the heads of the armed forces and police are Christians—evidence of national inclusivity. He also cited global recognition of Nigeria’s interfaith efforts, referencing the Commonwealth Peace Prize awarded this year to two Nigerian religious leaders who co-founded the Interfaith Mediation Centre.
The minister urged international media and observers to avoid sensationalism and divisive rhetoric, instead encouraging support for Nigeria’s ongoing counterterrorism initiatives.
“We call on all stakeholders to act responsibly, respect facts, and support Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and criminality,” Idris concluded.
