The Federal Government has dismissed reports circulating on some international platforms and online spaces that terrorists in Nigeria are carrying out a systematic genocide against Christians.
In a statement on Sunday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the allegations as false, baseless, and divisive, warning that such narratives could undermine Nigeria’s unity and peace.
“The Federal Government strongly condemns and categorically refutes recent allegations suggesting that terrorists in Nigeria are engaged in a systematic genocide against Christians. Such claims are not only untrue but also harmful to the collective peace of our nation,” Idris said.
The Minister stressed that Nigeria’s security challenges, though serious, must not be misrepresented as religiously motivated. He explained that portraying these challenges as a campaign against one faith is a gross distortion of reality, noting that terrorists and criminals in Nigeria target everyone — Muslims, Christians, and people of other identities — who reject their violent ideology. He further stated that countless Nigerians across different faiths have suffered at the hands of these groups.
Idris highlighted recent security gains, revealing that between May 2023 and February 2025, Nigerian forces neutralised 13,543 terrorists and criminals, while nearly 10,000 hostages were rescued across the country. He also recalled that the top leadership of Ansaru, an al-Qaeda affiliate, was captured in a coordinated counter-terrorism operation, while over 700 convictions have been secured against Boko Haram suspects.
The Minister also rejected the claim that Christianity is endangered in Nigeria, pointing to the country’s inclusive leadership. He noted that the current heads of both the Armed Forces and the Police are Christians — a clear reflection of Nigeria’s diversity and inclusivity. He added that Nigeria’s commitment to interfaith harmony has been recognised globally, citing the March 2025 award of the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize to Rev. Dr. James Movel Wuye and Imam Dr. Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa, co-founders of the Interfaith Mediation Centre.
Idris urged international media outlets and commentators to avoid sensational reporting and divisive narratives, instead supporting Nigeria’s ongoing fight against terrorism and criminality. “We call on all stakeholders to act responsibly, respect the facts, and support our efforts to restore peace. Ignorance and sensationalism only embolden the terrorists we are working hard to defeat,” he concluded.
