The Nigerian government has firmly rejected claims that Christians are being systematically targeted for killings in the country, describing such reports as misleading and politically motivated. In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cautioned against attempts to influence foreign governments, particularly the United States, into designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) on religious freedom violations.
Signed by the acting spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the statement clarified that while Nigeria faces serious security challenges, these incidents are not driven by religious persecution. The government emphasized that terrorism, banditry, and communal violence in the country do not target any specific religious group, dismissing claims of religiously motivated attacks as inaccurate and potentially harmful to national unity.
The controversy stems from concerns raised in past reports by the U.S. Congress, which previously led to Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern. However, the Nigerian government has consistently maintained that such classifications misrepresent the country’s complex security landscape. As a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation with a long-standing history of peaceful coexistence, the government insists that its security challenges stem from broader socio-economic and geopolitical issues rather than religious persecution.
Nigeria has been grappling with insurgency, criminal banditry, and communal clashes, particularly between farmers and herders. These conflicts, exacerbated by climate change, population growth, and disputes over land and resources, have been wrongly framed by some international reports as religious conflicts. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that these issues, while deeply concerning, do not amount to a systematic targeting of any religious community.
In response to escalating security threats, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has intensified efforts to curb violence across the country. Security forces have been deployed to high-risk areas, intelligence-gathering measures have been strengthened, and inter-agency cooperation has been enhanced to dismantle criminal networks. The government has also prioritized community engagement and peace-building initiatives to address the underlying causes of communal strife.
The statement further highlighted the significant progress made in recent military operations against insurgents and criminal groups, which have weakened their operational capabilities. While acknowledging that security challenges persist, the government pointed to ongoing successes in counterterrorism efforts and strategic interventions aimed at restoring stability.
In addition to military strategies, the government has adopted a dual approach, combining both kinetic (forceful) and non-kinetic (negotiation and economic reform) measures to tackle insecurity. A major step in this direction was the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development and the appointment of a Special Adviser on Livestock Reforms. This initiative seeks to provide long-term solutions to conflicts over land use by creating sustainable pastoral farming systems that reduce friction between farmers and herders.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the international community to critically assess information before making statements that could fuel divisions or escalate tensions in Nigeria. It called on media organizations, civil society groups, and foreign stakeholders to exercise caution in reporting on religious and security issues, emphasizing the importance of verifying claims before dissemination.
The Nigerian government’s response underscores the broader challenge of combating misinformation on the global stage, particularly when it comes to security and human rights issues. As debates over religious freedom continue, Nigeria remains firm in its stance that its security crisis should not be misrepresented as religious persecution. The government reiterated its commitment to protecting all citizens, regardless of faith, and working towards a safer and more united nation.
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