Isaac Samuel
The Federal Government has dismissed recent reports by some international platforms and online commentators alleging that terrorists operating in Nigeria are waging a systematic genocide against Christians.
In a statement on Sunday, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the claims asfalse, baseless, despicable, and divisive, saying that portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a deliberate campaign against a single religious group is a gross misrepresentation of reality.
The Minister stated that the violent activities of terrorist groups are not confined to any particular religious or ethnic community, adding that Muslims, Christians, and even those who do not identify with any religion have suffered at their hands.
He disclosed that between May 2023 and February 2025, over 13,543 terrorists and criminals were neutralised and nearly 10,000 hostages rescued in various military operations across the country.
Highlighting Nigeria’s diversity, Idris pointed out that the country is home to one of the world’s largest Muslim populations, as well as some of the biggest Pentecostal churches and the largest Anglican congregation globally.
The statement said: “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.
-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.
“It oversimplifies a complex, multifaceted security environment and plays into the hands of terrorists and 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. 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 remains unwavering in its commitment to completely degrading terrorist groups and securing the lives and property of all citizens, and this resolve is already yielding results. Between May 2023 and February 2025 alone, over 13,543 terrorists and criminals were neutralized and nearly 10,000 hostages rescued in multiple military operations across the country.
“Only last month, the top leadership of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan – commonly known as ANSARU, Nigeria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate, was captured in a well-coordinated counter-terrorism operation. They are: 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.
“These feats underscore the determination and success of our security forces and expose as unfounded the notion that Nigeria is passively tolerating religiously motivated terrorism.
The minister observed that the Nigerian Armed Forces and Police have demonstrated their commitment to accountability by conducting several court martials and prosecutions to hold their officials accountable for any misconduct.
He added: “Nigeria is a multi-religious state with large populations of both Christians and Muslims. We are home to one of the largest Muslim communities in the world, alongside some of the biggest Pentecostal churches and the largest Anglican congregation globally. Christianity is neither endangered nor marginalized 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.
“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. We are currently moving into our eighth prosecution cycle, further demonstrating our resolve to tackle terrorism and its sponsors.
“Under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, our administration remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding justice and enhancing security. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those who threaten our nation’s peace and stability are brought to justice.
He noted that the country’s interfaith efforts have received international recognition, citing the March 2025 award of the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize to Rev. Dr. James Movel Wuye and Imam Dr. Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa — co-founders of the Interfaith Mediation Centre — whose decades-long work now serves as a model for peacebuilding across 56 Commonwealth countries.
Idris urged the international media and commentators to act responsibly and respect the facts, advising all stakeholders to avoid ignorance, sensationalism, and divisive rhetoric, and instead support Nigeria’s ongoing fight against terrorism and criminality.
