The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly condemned and categorically refuted recent allegations by certain international platforms and online influencers suggesting that terrorists operating in the country are engaged in a systematic genocide against Christians.
In a detailed statement released by Mohammed Idris, the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, the government branded such claims as “false, baseless, despicable, and divisive,” asserting that they grossly misrepresent the nation’s complex security reality.
The government maintains that portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a targeted campaign against a single religious group is “inaccurate and harmful.” The statement argues that this oversimplifies a multifaceted security environment and plays into the hands of criminals who seek to divide Nigerians along religious or ethnic lines.
“The violent activities of terrorist groups are not confined to any particular religious or ethnic community,” the Minister stated. “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.”
The Federal Government underscored its commitment to degrading terrorist groups, citing significant results from its security operations.
Between May 2023 and February 2025 alone, military operations across the country reportedly neutralised over 13,543 terrorists and criminals and rescued nearly 10,000 hostages.
Further highlighting recent success, the government revealed that the top leadership of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU), Nigeria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate, was captured “only last month” in a well-coordinated counter-terrorism operation.
Those captured include Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Abu Bara’a/Abbas/Mukhtar), the self-styled Emir of ANSARU and Mahmud al-Nigeri (aka Mallam Mamuda), Abu Bara’s proclaimed Chief of Staff and Deputy.
The government noted these achievements “underscore the determination and success of our security forces and expose as unfounded the notion that Nigeria is passively tolerating religiously motivated terrorism.”
Minister Idris stressed that Nigeria is a multi-religious state with large populations of both Christians and Muslims, proudly noting the country is home to “one of the largest Muslim communities in the world, alongside some of the biggest Pentecostal churches and the largest Anglican congregation globally.”
The statement directly addressed the narrative of Christian marginalization, asserting that “Christianity is neither endangered nor marginalized in Nigeria.” It pointed out that the current heads of both the Armed Forces and the Police Force are Christians—a fact that, according to the government, underscores the inclusivity of the national leadership.
Furthermore, the Nigerian Armed Forces and Police have demonstrated their commitment to accountability by conducting “several court martials and prosecutions” to hold officials accountable for misconduct.
In the legal fight against terrorism, the government reported significant strides in prosecuting Boko Haram suspects. To date, Nigeria has successfully prosecuted seven batches of suspects, securing over 700 convictions, and is currently moving into its eighth prosecution cycle.
The government affirmed its resolve to uphold justice under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, stating, “The Nigerian story is not one of religious genocide or persecution. Rather, it is a story of resilience, diversity, and a globally acknowledged commitment to peaceful coexistence.”
Supporting its stance on peaceful coexistence, the government cited a recent international recognition 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.
Their work, promoting trust and tolerance across faiths for decades, “now serves as a model for peace building in all 56 Commonwealth countries,” the Minister noted, suggesting Nigeria is “exporting proven frameworks for interfaith harmony.”
The Federal Government concluded by urging the international media and commentators to “act with responsibility and have respect for facts,” advising stakeholders to “avoid ignorance, sensationalism, and divisive rhetoric,” and instead support Nigeria’s ongoing efforts in the fight against terrorism and criminality.
