The Federal Government has dismissed claims that Nigeria’s security challenges are driven by religious bias, stating that violence in the country, particularly in the northern region, stems from criminality, insurgency, and banditry rather than religious persecution.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs made this clarification in a statement signed by its acting spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, on Friday. The statement was in response to reports alleging targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria, which the government described as misleading attempts to influence foreign governments into designating the country as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
The controversy follows a recent decision by the United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa to authorize sanctions against Nigeria over alleged widespread killings of Christians. Citing a report by the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, the congressional hearing claimed that Nigeria accounted for 90% of all Christians killed globally within the reviewed period, with over 55,000 deaths and 21,000 abductions recorded between October 2019 and September 2023.
However, the Nigerian government rejected the religious angle, emphasizing that the ongoing security threats do not target any specific faith.
“The majority of insurgency and banditry incidents in the predominantly Muslim northern part of Nigeria are not directed at followers of a particular religion. Any narrative suggesting religious persecution is misleading,” the statement read.
The government reiterated its commitment to protecting all citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity, while highlighting ongoing military operations against insurgents, bandits, and communal conflicts. It also noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is taking significant steps to address security concerns.
The government urged the international community to verify information before making statements that could escalate tensions. It also called on the media, civil society organizations, and foreign partners to refrain from spreading unverified claims, emphasizing the need for national unity and stability.
