The Federal Government has rejected claims by some international platforms and online commentators that terrorists in Nigeria are carrying out a systematic genocide against Christians.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in a statement on Sunday, described the allegations as false, divisive, and damaging to Nigeria’s 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 stressed that the country’s security challenges 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,” he added.
According to the minister, terrorists have attacked Nigerians across different faiths, sparing no one.
“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,” Idris said.
He highlighted recent security operations, noting that between May 2023 and February 2025, security forces neutralised 13,543 terrorists and criminals, while nearly 10,000 hostages were rescued across the country.
Idris also recalled that the leadership of the terrorist group Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, linked to al-Qaeda, was captured in a major counter-terrorism operation last month.
On prosecutions, he said over 700 convictions had been secured against 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,” Idris explained.
The minister dismissed the genocide narrative as a distortion of Nigeria’s multi-religious reality, pointing out that inclusivity is evident in the country’s leadership.
“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,” he said.
Idris also cited global 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 added.
He urged international media and commentators to avoid sensationalism and divisive narratives, calling for support in the fight against terrorism.
“We urge the international media and other commentators to act with responsibility and have respect for facts. All stakeholders are advised to avoid ignorance, sensationalism, and divisive rhetoric, and instead support Nigeria’s ongoing efforts in the fight against terrorism and all forms of criminality,” Idris said.
