FG Refutes Allegations of Systematic Genocide Against Christians

FG Refutes Allegations of Systematic Genocide Against Christians

The Federal Government on Sunday rejected allegations by some international outlets and online commentators that terrorists in Nigeria are waging a systematic genocide against Christians.

In a statement, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed the claims as unfounded, divisive, and damaging to national peace.

“The Federal Government strongly condemns and firmly refutes recent reports by certain international platforms and online influencers suggesting that terrorists in Nigeria are carrying out a systematic genocide against Christians. Such allegations are false, baseless, despicable, and divisive,” Idris said.

He stressed that Nigeria’s security challenges should not be misrepresented as religiously motivated.

“Portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a targeted campaign against a single religious group is a gross misrepresentation of reality.

“While Nigeria, like many countries, has faced security challenges, including acts of terrorism perpetrated by criminals, couching the situation as a deliberate, systematic attack on Christians is inaccurate and harmful,” the minister added.

According to him, terrorists have attacked Nigerians across faiths, not sparing Muslims, Christians or people of other identities.

“These criminals target all who reject their murderous ideology, regardless of faith.

“Muslims, Christians, and even those who do not identify with any religion have suffered at their hands,” he stated.

Highlighting security operations, Idris said between May 2023 and February 2025, security forces neutralised 13,543 terrorists and criminals, while nearly 10,000 hostages were rescued across the country.

He recalled that the leadership of Nigeria’s al-Qaeda affiliate, Ansaru, was also recently captured.

“Only last month, the top leadership of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan — commonly known as ANSARU — was captured in a well-coordinated counter-terrorism operation,” the statement noted.

Idris further explained that over 700 convictions had been secured in the prosecution of Boko Haram suspects.

“In the fight against terrorism, Nigeria has made significant strides in prosecuting Boko Haram suspects.

“To date, we have successfully prosecuted seven batches of suspects, securing over 700 convictions,” he said.

He dismissed the genocide narrative as a distortion of Nigeria’s multi-religious reality, adding that the country’s leadership reflected inclusivity.

“Christianity is neither endangered nor marginalised in Nigeria. It is doubtful that foreign interlopers into Nigerian affairs are aware that the current heads of both the Armed Forces and the Police Force are Christians, a fact that underscores the inclusivity of our national leadership,” Idris stressed.

The minister also pointed to international recognition of Nigeria’s interfaith harmony.

“In March of this year, the inaugural

Commonwealth Peace Prize was awarded to two Nigerian religious leaders, Rev. Dr. James Movel Wuye and Imam Dr. Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa, co-founders of the Interfaith Mediation Centre,” he said.

He urged international media and commentators to avoid sensationalism and divisive rhetoric, and instead support Nigeria’s efforts against terrorism.

“We call on the international media and other commentators to be responsible and uphold respect for facts.

All stakeholders should steer clear of ignorance, sensationalism, and divisive rhetoric, and instead support Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and other forms of criminality,” Idris stated.