The Nigerian government has strongly refuted allegations of targeted killings of Christians in the country, describing them as misleading and an attempt to distort the nation’s security situation.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed recent reports, particularly from the United States, suggesting that religious persecution was driving violence in Nigeria.
The ministry expressed concerns that such claims were aimed at influencing foreign governments, especially the US, to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over religious freedom violations.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s security challenges, the government maintained that the violence was not driven by religious bias. It pointed out that most cases of insurgency and banditry in the predominantly Muslim northern region were not specifically targeted at any religious group.
“Any narrative that seeks to give such incidents a coloration of religious persecution is erroneous and misleading,” the statement read.
The government reiterated Nigeria’s status as a multiethnic and multireligious nation committed to protecting the lives and properties of all citizens, regardless of faith. It argued that insecurity in the country is complex, manifesting as criminality, terrorism, and communal clashes—such as the ongoing conflicts between farmers and herders—that do not have religious motivations.
Under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the government claimed it has taken significant steps to address security concerns. These include the deployment of security forces, intelligence gathering, and community engagement initiatives.
The military, according to the statement, has recorded notable successes in reducing the activities of bandits and insurgents.
To further tackle the root causes of conflicts, the government announced the establishment of a Ministry of Livestock Development and the appointment of a Special Adviser on Livestock Reforms. This move aims to provide sustainable solutions to disputes over land between farmers and herdsmen, which have often escalated into violence.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the international community to exercise caution before making statements that could inflame tensions in Nigeria. It called on the media, civil society groups, and foreign partners to refrain from spreading unverified claims that could undermine national unity and stability.
The statement comes in response to a US congressional hearing on Wednesday, where lawmakers expressed frustration over the Nigerian government’s alleged failure to protect Christian communities from the ongoing attacks.
A report by the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, cited during the hearing, revealed that Nigeria accounted for 90 per cent of all Christians killed globally each year.
Between October 2019 and September 2023, over 55,000 people were killed and an additional 21,000 abducted by terrorist groups.
However, the Nigerian government dismissed such assessments as lacking context, arguing that insecurity in the country affects all citizens, regardless of religion. It reaffirmed its commitment to religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, rejecting any attempts to distort the situation or sow discord among Nigerians.
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