Reported by: Richard .O
The Federal Government has strongly dismissed recent reports by some international platforms and online commentators suggesting that Nigeria is witnessing a systematic genocide against Christians.
In a statement issued on Sunday, September 28, 2025, by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the government described such claims as “false, divisive, and a gross misrepresentation of Nigeria’s complex security challenges.”
According to the government, terrorist groups operating within Nigeria target all communities, regardless of faith, and their violent campaigns have affected both Muslims and Christians alike. Official figures show that between May 2023 and February 2025, over 13,500 terrorists and criminals were neutralized, and close to 10,000 hostages rescued through coordinated military operations.
The statement further pointed to recent counter-terrorism successes, including the capture of top leaders of the Al-Qaeda-linked group ANSARU, as evidence that Nigeria is not tolerating terrorism but actively combating it. The government emphasized Nigeria’s multi-religious identity, noting the leadership roles held by Christians in the Armed Forces and Police, as well as international recognition of Nigeria’s interfaith peacebuilding efforts.
The statement has stirred mixed reactions among citizens and observers. Some Nigerians welcomed the clarification, praising the government’s counter-terrorism achievements and its call for responsible reporting by the international media.
Others, however, expressed skepticism, insisting that religious and ethnic dimensions cannot be ignored in Nigeria’s security crisis. Critics argued that communities across the Middle Belt and North-East continue to experience attacks that disproportionately affect certain groups, and urged the government to focus more on protecting vulnerable populations rather than issuing rebuttals.
Security analysts also weighed in, with some stressing that while Nigeria has indeed recorded notable military successes, public trust in government narratives remains fragile. They advised authorities to back their claims with consistent transparency, data, and visible community-level improvements in security.
Voices from the Street
🔹 “The government is right. Terrorists don’t ask about religion before killing. Both Muslims and Christians are victims. The international media needs to be fair.” — Hassan Ibrahim, Abuja
🔹 “Tell that to the families in Plateau and Benue. Christians are being targeted, and pretending otherwise won’t solve the problem.” — Rose Daniel, Jos
🔹 “The truth is somewhere in between. Terrorists kill everyone, but some communities suffer more. Government must protect all Nigerians equally.” — Chukwuemeka Okafor, Lagos
🔹 “We hear about numbers and arrests, but we still live in fear daily. Until we feel safe in our villages, these statements mean little.” — Amina Musa, Maiduguri
📩 Edited by: Henry Owen
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