The Nigerian government has refuted allegations by some international news platforms and online influencers that terrorists operating in the country are engaged in a systematic genocide against Christians.
It said such claims are false, baseless, despicable, and divisive.
This is contained in a statement by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Sunday in Abuja. Mr Idris, in the statement, debunked the claim, noting that the terrorists attack people of all faiths. “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,” he said.
The minister said the government is steadfast in its duty to protect every Nigerian, regardless of ethnic or religious identity, and continues to work with international partners to address the global threat of terrorism. He stated that between May 2023 and February 2025 alone, over 13,543 terrorists and criminals were neutralised and nearly 10,000 hostages rescued in multiple military operations across the country.
He said the country has made significant strides in prosecuting Boko Haram suspects, adding, “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.”
The minister emphasized Nigeria’s multi-religious composition and leadership, noting 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 concluded by urging international media and commentators to “act with responsibility and have respect for facts,” and to support Nigeria’s ongoing efforts against terrorism.
