Nigeria Refutes Allegations of Targeted Killings of Christians.
By Caroline Ameh
The Federal Government has strongly refuted claims suggesting that Christians are being systematically targeted for killings in Nigeria. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described such reports as misleading and aimed at influencing foreign governments, particularly the United States, to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to alleged religious-based violence.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Acting Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, emphasized that while Nigeria faces significant security challenges, these incidents are not driven by religious bias or targeted at any particular religious group.
“The majority of security incidents related to insurgency and banditry in Nigeria, particularly in the predominantly Muslim northern region, are not specifically directed at followers of any faith,” Ebienfa stated. “Any narrative suggesting a religious persecution agenda is erroneous and misleading.”
The statement reaffirmed Nigeria’s status as a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation, with the government committed to protecting all citizens regardless of their faith, ethnicity, or gender. The security challenges in the country, the ministry noted, stem from criminality, terrorism, and communal clashes, including farmer-herder conflicts, which are often misrepresented as religious violence.
Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian government has implemented several measures to tackle security concerns. These include: Deployment of security forces, enhanced intelligence gathering and community engagement initiatives.
The military, according to the statement, has made substantial gains in curtailing the activities of insurgents and bandits. Additionally, both the Federal and State governments have adopted kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to resolving security threats, including the expedited implementation of the National Livestock Plan.
As part of long-term efforts to address farmer-herder conflicts, the government has established a Ministry of Livestock Development and appointed a Special Adviser and Coordinator of Livestock Reforms to develop sustainable solutions for pastoral farming and land disputes.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the international community, media, and civil society organizations to exercise caution and verify information before making public statements that could inflame tensions.
“We call on all stakeholders to refrain from spreading unverified claims that could undermine national unity and stability,” the statement read.
The government emphasized that Nigeria remains a beacon of religious tolerance in Africa, committed to promoting peace and coexistence among its diverse religious groups.
While welcoming constructive dialogue and international support in addressing security concerns, Nigeria strongly rejects any attempts to distort the reality of the situation or create unnecessary divisions among its people.
It also reaffirmed the government’s dedication to national stability, security, and religious harmony.
