THE Federal Government has firmly rejected claims by some international platforms and online commentators alleging that terrorists in Nigeria are carrying out a systematic genocide against Christians.
In a statement issued on Sunday obtained by News Point Nigeria, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the allegations as false, divisive, and dangerous to the nation’s unity and 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.
The minister stressed that Nigeria’s security challenges should not be misrepresented as religiously motivated, insisting that terrorism in the country has claimed lives across faiths and identities.
“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,” Idris noted.
He explained that terrorists attack indiscriminately, targeting Muslims, Christians, and those of no religious affiliation alike. “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,” he stated.
Providing data to back government efforts, Idris revealed that between May 2023 and February 2025, security forces neutralised 13,543 terrorists and criminals, while nearly 10,000 hostages were rescued nationwide.
He also highlighted a major breakthrough last month with the capture of the leadership of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU), Nigeria’s al-Qaeda affiliate, in a coordinated counter-terrorism operation.
“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 added.
Dismissing the genocide narrative as a distortion, the minister pointed to the inclusivity of Nigeria’s leadership, noting that both the Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector-General of Police are Christians.
“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.
He also referenced global recognition of Nigeria’s interfaith cooperation, citing the March 2025 award of the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize to two Nigerian religious leaders, Rev. Dr. James Movel Wuye and Imam Dr. Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa, co-founders of the Interfaith Mediation Centre.
Idris urged international media outlets and commentators to avoid peddling falsehoods that could inflame tensions and undermine Nigeria’s progress 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,” the minister appealed.
