The Federal Government has refuted reports from some international platforms alleging that terrorists in Nigeria are carrying out a systematic genocide against Christians.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, issued a statement on Sunday, describing the claims as “false, baseless, despicable, and divisive.” He stressed that such reports misrepresent Nigeria’s complex security challenges and could inflame unnecessary ethnic and religious tensions.
According to the Minister, presenting the fight against terrorism as a targeted campaign against a single religious group oversimplifies the situation. He noted that both Muslims, Christians, and even non-religious citizens have been victims of terrorist attacks across the country.
“The violent activities of terrorist groups are not confined to any religious or ethnic community. Everyone, regardless of faith, has suffered at their hands,” Idris said.
Highlighting recent counter-terrorism achievements, the Minister disclosed that over 13,500 terrorists and criminals were neutralized between May 2023 and February 2025. He added that nearly 10,000 hostages were rescued during nationwide military operations.
He further revealed that the top leadership of ANSARU, Nigeria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate, was captured last month in a coordinated security operation.
“These feats expose as unfounded the notion that Nigeria is passively tolerating religiously motivated terrorism,” Idris concluded.
