The Federal Government has refuted claims of targeted killings of Christians in the country, describing such reports as misleading and aimed at influencing foreign governments, particularly the United States, to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement this Friday by its acting spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said while the government acknowledges ongoing security challenges, there is no evidence to suggest they are religiously motivated or targeted at any faith group.
The ministry emphasized that insurgency, banditry, and other forms of insecurity, especially in the predominantly Muslim northern region, affect Nigerians regardless of religion. It stated that conflicts, particularly between farmers and herders, are driven by criminality, terrorism, climate change, population pressures, and competition over land resources, not religious persecution.
The government noted that Nigeria is a multiethnic and multireligious country with a history of peaceful coexistence among its diverse communities.
According to the statement, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has taken several measures to address insecurity, including deploying security forces to vulnerable areas, enhancing intelligence gathering, and strengthening cooperation among security agencies.
The government is also implementing community engagement initiatives and non-kinetic approaches, such as dialogue and economic reforms. It highlighted the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development and the appointment of a Special Adviser on Livestock Reforms as steps toward resolving farmer-herder conflicts and reducing communal violence.
The ministry urged the international community to verify information before making statements that could escalate tensions within Nigeria. It also called on the media, civil society organizations, and foreign partners to avoid spreading unverified claims that could undermine national unity and stability.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom and interfaith harmony, the ministry stated that the government would continue working with religious leaders and stakeholders to promote peace across the country.