The Federal Government on Sunday rejected allegations by certain international outlets and online commentators that terrorists in Nigeria are carrying out a coordinated genocide against Christians.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in a statement, described the allegations as false, dangerous, and detrimental to national peace.
“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.
“Such claims are false, baseless, despicable, and divisive,” Idris said.
He emphasised that Nigeria’s insecurity should not be misrepresented as religiously driven.
“Portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a targeted campaign against a single religious group is a gross misrepresentation of reality.
“While Nigeria, like many countries, has faced security challenges, including acts of terrorism perpetrated by criminals, couching the situation as a deliberate, systematic attack on Christians is inaccurate and harmful,” the minister added.
According to Idris, terrorists have targeted Nigerians of all faiths, without sparing Muslims, Christians, or others.
“These criminals target all who reject their murderous ideology, regardless of faith.
“Muslims, Christians, and even those who do not identify with any religion have suffered at their hands,” he stated.
Highlighting government efforts, he disclosed that between May 2023 and February 2025, security forces neutralised 13,543 terrorists and criminals while nearly 10,000 hostages were rescued nationwide.
He also recalled that the leadership of Nigeria’s al-Qaeda affiliate, Ansaru, was recently apprehended.
“Only last month, the top leadership of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan — commonly known as ANSARU — was captured in a well-coordinated counter-terrorism operation,” the statement noted.
The minister further said over 700 convictions had been secured in the trials of Boko Haram suspects.
“In the fight against terrorism, Nigeria has made significant strides in prosecuting Boko Haram suspects.
“To date, we have successfully prosecuted seven batches of suspects, securing over 700 convictions,” he said.
He dismissed the genocide claims as a misrepresentation of Nigeria’s diverse reality, noting that the leadership structure reflects inclusivity.
“Christianity is neither endangered nor marginalised in Nigeria. 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,” Idris stressed.
He also pointed to international recognition of Nigeria’s interfaith harmony.
“In March of this year, the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize was awarded to two Nigerian religious leaders, Rev. Dr. James Movel Wuye and Imam Dr. Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa, co-founders of the Interfaith Mediation Centre,” he said.
Idris urged international commentators to avoid sensational narratives and focus on facts, stressing that misleading claims undermine peace. He called for global support for Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts rather than divisive rhetoric.
