₦airaland Forum

The federal government has again faulted some US officials for allegedly using faulty assumptions and data to assert that terrorist elements in Nigeria were targeting Christians.

It said purveyors of such narratives were unwittingly playing into the hands of criminals whose ultimate objective was to incite conflict between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this in an interview on CNN Tuesday night.

Idris emphasised the concerted moves by the Tinubu administration to tackle the country’s security challenges to guarantee the safety and well-being of all citizens.

The minister described the notion as a fallacy that did not reflect the country’s complex security realities and the right to freedom of religion enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.

He portrayed Nigeria as a highly tolerant country that respected freedom of religion, warning that promoting a false narrative of intolerance can inadvertently sow division between Christians and Muslims in the country.

Idris said in the statement, “Characterising it as attacks on Christians will drive Nigeria towards division. The criminals want to portray the country as if there is a fight between Christians and Muslims.

“We have seen attacks on Christians. We have also seen attacks on Muslims as well. Muslims and even those who do not identify with any faith have suffered at their hands. But it is also wrong to characterise Nigeria as a country that does not tolerate religious freedom, and it’s also wrong to say that everywhere is not safe in Nigeria. Nigeria is, indeed, a safe country, Idris said.

“Some of the claims made by some officials of the United States are based on faulty data and some assumptions that the victims of this violence are largely Christians.

“Yes! There are Christians being attacked, but these criminals do not just target one religion. They target Christians. They also target Muslims. We have seen that especially in the northern part of the country.”

The minister acknowledged that while security challenges existed in the country, the government was tackling them decisively and with sustained commitment.

Highlighting recent gains in the war against terrorism, the Minister revealed that between May 2023 and February 2025, over 13,500 terrorists and criminals were neutralized, while nearly 10,000 hostages were rescued during military operations nationwide.

He also confirmed that the top leadership of ANSARU, Nigeria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate, was captured last month in a coordinated counter-terrorism operation.

“These feats expose as unfounded the notion that Nigeria is passively tolerating religiously motivated terrorism,” the Minister added.

Idris emphasized Nigeria’s inclusive leadership structure, noting that both Christians and Muslims hold top positions in the Armed Forces and Police.

He also underscored Nigeria’s global recognition for interfaith peacebuilding, pointing to the recent Commonwealth Peace Prize awarded to Rev. Dr. James Movel Wuye and Imam Dr. Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa for their decades-long work in promoting interfaith dialogue.

The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment under President Bola Tinubu to safeguarding all citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity, and to ensuring justice through continued prosecutions of Boko Haram and other terrorist suspects.

“The Nigerian story is not one of religious genocide or persecution, but of resilience, diversity, and peaceful coexistence,” Idris stressed.

He urged the international media and commentators to act responsibly, avoid sensationalism, and support Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.

“Yes, indeed, we have seen security challenges in Nigeria, but we also have to recognize that there is a massive drive by the government to ensure that Nigeria is ultimately safe for everyone,” he said.

He stated that Nigeria had been grappling with security challenges since 2009, but explained that in the past two years, there had been sustained momentum and determination to eradicate the threats.

Pakute:
https://www.thisdaylive.com/2025/10/30/assumptions-of-genocide-could-hasten-nigerias-division-fg-warns-us-officials/

Softmirror:
Hmmm...imagine Biafra where Igbo Jews, IPOB are already lords over Igbo Christians.

Softmirror:
Hmmm...imagine Biafra where Igbo Jews, IPOB are already lords over Igbo Christians.

Satazaa:
I am extremely saddened that some Nigerian Christians who don't understand that deep down Amoricans who they perceived as fighting for them have hidden agendas to sow discord amongst us so that our progress can be stalled or country breaks, statistically more Muslims have been killed more than Christians in Northern Nigeria, Some naive Nigerians do not understand that the same Amoricans were the one that illegally toppled Ghadafi and the consequences of that is why the whole of the horn of Africa is in this mess today, How can you be the architect of a problem and pretending that you suddenly care

TimeManager:
I love how the minister of information went to their western media, CNN to call the US officials and label them purveyors of falsehoods. Using their media to call them out is a strategic and bold move by this Administration, a very fearless Administration.. God bless Nigeria.

-Kiss the truth!

Tayorshd87:
it's easier said than done because I know some fellows will still want division in Nigeria 🤔 but before you decide if Nigeria should divide or not ehn 🤔🤔

Please state the countries that have divided without war or conflict at the long run by then I will know you love yourself or not 🚫

Satazaa:
I am extremely saddened that some Nigerian Christians who don't understand that deep down Amoricans who they perceived as fighting for them have hidden agendas to sow discord amongst us so that our progress can be stalled or country breaks, statistically more Muslims have been killed more than Christians in Northern Nigeria, Some naive Nigerians do not understand that the same Amoricans were the one that illegally toppled Ghadafi and the consequences of that is why the whole of the horn of Africa is in this mess today, How can you be the architect of a problem and pretending that you suddenly care

ArinzeAnthony03:
Then stop the terrorist to avoid other countries assuming.

Period

Nwaikpe:
And so?

Whats your problem with that?

Kindered:
marriage no suppose be by force, let my people go. Awon oloriburuku oloshi omo asewo will call me ipob soon.

jmoore:
Nigeria is already a divided country.

What is sharia law doing in a secular country?

You guys are deceiving yourselves.

CrownedPhoenix:
Is this an admittance of a division you know will eventually come? Only a matter of time you don't want hastened?

Iykoto86:
You lots don't deserve to have a one Nigeria. Imagin the federal government worried about the report of genocide in Nigeria. Why not fight these Islamic terror groups and eliminate them ones and for all, but no.you would rather be concerned about Biafra that is not yet achieved by the Igbo's. The Nigeria that is in existence is dying under Islamic terrorism,yet you guys are not worried.

GiftofGod77:
No it's the lack of truth that will or can lead to the breaking of the country. Let's call a spade a spade to some extent there is genocide but not by the government but by non state actors. The government only gives the non state actors the stage and opportunity by their lack of effectiveness. But not only Christians other Faith's too face genocide....

Tayorshd87:
it's easier said than done because I know some fellows will still want division in Nigeria 🤔 but before you decide if Nigeria should divide or not ehn 🤔🤔

Please state the countries that have divided without war or conflict at the long run by then I will know you love yourself or not 🚫

ikaboy:
the current govt like never before is aiding the division of this nation, no step is being taken to ameliorate the tribalism, ethnic profiling going on since its emergence

Racoon:
Nigeria has long been divided since post July 1966 counter coup. It was only amplified by the disasterous Buhari and Tinubu led-APC governments

Justiceleague1:
Oga let the breaking start already...
Thunda faya 1914 amalgamation

Brendaniel:
And who is going to fight war against those that want to leave Nigeria and why?

PepeXKermit:
Hasten? Does it mean its imminent?

Chibuzoc:
So instead of the division of the British contraption turned jungle genocide should be ignored

He portrayed Nigeria as a highly tolerant country that respected freedom of religion, warning that promoting a false narrative of intolerance can inadvertently sow division between Christians and Muslims in the country.

Satazaa:
I am extremely saddened that some Nigerian Christians who don't understand that deep down Amoricans who they perceived as fighting for them have hidden agendas to sow discord amongst us so that our progress can be stalled or country breaks, statistically more Muslims have been killed more than Christians in Northern Nigeria, Some naive Nigerians do not understand that the same Amoricans were the one that illegally toppled Ghadafi and the consequences of that is why the whole of the horn of Africa is in this mess today, How can you be the architect of a problem and pretending that you suddenly care

Tayorshd87:
it's easier said than done because I know some fellows will still want division in Nigeria 🤔 but before you decide if Nigeria should divide or not ehn 🤔🤔

Please state the countries that have divided without war or conflict at the long run by then I will know you love yourself or not 🚫