The Federal Government has dismissed claims by some international commentators that Christians in Nigeria are facing a systematic genocide, insisting that terrorists target Nigerians of all faiths.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in a statement on Sunday, described the allegations as “false, baseless, and divisive,” warning that such narratives misrepresent the country’s security reality.
“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,” Idris said.
He stressed that portraying terrorism in Nigeria as a deliberate campaign against Christians oversimplifies the country’s complex security challenges.
“While Nigeria, like many countries, has faced acts of terrorism perpetrated by criminals, couching the situation as a deliberate, systematic attack on Christians is inaccurate and harmful. It plays into the hands of terrorists who seek to divide Nigerians along religious or ethnic lines,” the minister added.
Idris maintained that extremists have targeted Muslims, Christians, and even those who do not identify with any religion.
He said government forces have intensified operations against the groups, noting that between May 2023 and February 2025, no fewer than 13,543 terrorists and criminals were killed, while nearly 10,000 hostages were rescued nationwide.
He further recalled the recent capture of the leadership of Ansaru, an affiliate of al-Qaeda in Nigeria, and disclosed that more than 700 Boko Haram suspects had been convicted in seven batches of prosecutions.
“These criminals target all who reject their murderous ideology, regardless of faith,” Idris said.
The minister dismissed the narrative that Christians are endangered or marginalised in the country, pointing to the leadership composition of the security agencies as proof of inclusivity.
“It is doubtful that foreign interlopers are aware that the current heads of both the armed forces and the police are Christians,” he stated.
Idris also cited international recognition of Nigeria’s interfaith efforts, recalling that earlier this year, Rev. James Movel Wuye and Imam Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa of the Interfaith Mediation Centre won the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize.
He urged the international media and foreign commentators to act responsibly by avoiding sensationalism and divisive rhetoric.
“We urge all stakeholders to avoid ignorance, sensationalism, and divisive narratives, and instead support Nigeria’s ongoing efforts in the fight against terrorism and all forms of criminality,” Idris said.
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