The Federal Government has rejected claims by some United States lawmakers alleging a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, insisting that such assertions are based on faulty and misleading data.
The controversy began after US lawmakers urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to impose diplomatic sanctions on Nigeria over what they described as the “systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians.”
In response, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said in a CNN interview on Tuesday that the claims misrepresent Nigeria’s complex security challenges. His comments were contained in a Wednesday statement released by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim.
According to Idris, President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains committed to upholding human rights, democracy, and religious freedom, emphasizing that no group is being targeted for their faith.
“Some of the claims made by officials of the United States are based on faulty data and the assumption that victims of violence are largely Christians,” Idris said. “Yes, there are Christians being attacked, but these criminals do not target one religion—they attack both Christians and Muslims, especially in the northern part of the country.”
He warned that such narratives only serve to embolden criminal elements trying to incite religious conflict. Idris reiterated that Nigeria is a tolerant nation where citizens of different faiths coexist peacefully and cautioned against framing insecurity as a religious war.
“Characterising these attacks as being against Christians alone will drive Nigeria towards unnecessary division,” he said.
While acknowledging the country’s ongoing security challenges, Idris maintained that the government is addressing them “with renewed vigour” to ensure the safety of all Nigerians.
What You Should Know
Nigeria has long battled insecurity from bandits, insurgents, and extremist groups whose motives often blend criminal and political interests rather than purely religious ones.
While some attacks have affected Christian communities, others have targeted Muslims and non-religious civilians alike. The government maintains that portraying the violence as faith-based risks worsening national unity.
