The Federal Government has accused foreign lobbyists, particularly in the United States, of driving false narratives about a so-called “Christian genocide” in Nigeria to distort the country’s image internationally.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday. He said investigations revealed deliberate efforts by foreign actors to misrepresent Nigeria’s internal security situation.
> “We have seen that some of the influencers of these criminal activities have direct connections with lobbyists in the U.S., who in turn are amplifying misleading narratives about religious persecution in Nigeria,” Idris said.
The minister maintained that while insecurity remains a challenge, there is no evidence suggesting that any religious group is being specifically targeted.
> “Nigeria’s security challenges affect both Christians and Muslims. Any claim that the state is promoting or ignoring religious killings is unfounded and driven by misinformation,” he added.
Idris described the U.S. position as a product of “deliberate distortion,” stressing that violent groups in Nigeria operate based on criminal, not religious, motives.
Highlighting ongoing counter-terrorism efforts, the minister revealed that security forces have neutralised over 13,500 terrorists, arrested more than 17,000 suspects, and rescued 9,850 abducted persons since May 2023.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to partnering with international allies to combat terrorism and strengthen peace efforts across the country.
The remarks come in response to the United States’ redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious persecution — a decision Nigeria has firmly rejected.
