Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied claims of targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria. It called these claims misleading, intended at influencing foreign governments, especially the United States, to label Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
In a statement on Friday, acting spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa said, “The Federal Government knows about the security challenges in the country, but these incidents are not religiously motivated.”
The ministry explained that insurgency and banditry in northern Nigeria, a mostly Muslim region, are not targeted at any specific religious group.
Security Challenges Are Complex, Not Religious
The ministry reminded everyone that Nigeria is a multiethnic and multireligious country with a history of peaceful coexistence. It said, “The government is committed to protecting all citizens, no matter their religion, ethnicity, or gender.”
It added that the ongoing security problems come from criminality, terrorism, and communal clashes. These issues, worsened by climate change and competition over land, are not religious persecution.
The statement also outlined steps taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to improve security. These include deploying security forces, gathering intelligence, and encouraging cooperation between agencies.
The government, he claimed, has also started community engagement programs to promote peace.
“Recent military operations have weakened criminal groups. We are using both military action and dialogue to address the root causes of insecurity.”
It also mentioned the creation of a Ministry of Livestock Development to reduce land disputes between farmers and herders. “This is part of our long-term plan to resolve conflicts linked to land use,” the statement added.
The ministry urged the international community to verify information before making statements that could increase tensions in Nigeria.
“Nigeria remains a beacon of religious tolerance and coexistence in Africa. We are committed to preserving this heritage.”
According to reports, the United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa had previously stated that Nigeria accounted for a significant percentage of Christians killed globally each year. For instance, a report cited during a congressional hearing revealed that between 2019 and 2023, over 55,000 people were killed, and 21,000 were abducted in incidents linked to religious violence.
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