The Nigerian Federal Government has firmly rejected and condemned allegations from certain international platforms and online influencers claiming that terrorists in Nigeria are perpetrating a systematic genocide against Christians.
In a statement on Sunday, September 28, 2025, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, labeled these claims as false, divisive, and detrimental to Nigeria’s peace. “The Federal Government strongly condemns and categorically refutes these baseless and despicable allegations,” Idris stated, emphasizing that portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a targeted campaign against Christians is a “gross misrepresentation of reality.”
Idris clarified that Nigeria’s security issues, driven by criminal and terrorist activities, are not religiously motivated. “Terrorists target Nigerians of all faiths—Muslims, Christians, and those of other or no religious affiliations—based on their rejection of the terrorists’ violent ideology,” he said.
The minister highlighted significant security achievements, noting that between May 2023 and February 2025, Nigerian security forces neutralized 13,543 terrorists and criminals and rescued nearly 10,000 hostages. He also pointed to the recent capture of the leadership of Ansaru, a Nigerian al-Qaeda affiliate, in a coordinated counter-terrorism operation last month. Additionally, Idris reported over 700 convictions in the prosecution of Boko Haram suspects, underscoring Nigeria’s progress in combating terrorism.
Addressing the genocide narrative, Idris called it a distortion of Nigeria’s multi-religious society, pointing out that the heads of the Armed Forces and Police Force are Christians, reflecting the country’s inclusive leadership. He also cited the March 2025 Commonwealth Peace Prize awarded to Nigerian interfaith leaders Rev. Dr. James Movel Wuye and Imam Dr. Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa for their work with the Interfaith Mediation Centre as evidence of Nigeria’s commitment to religious harmony.
Idris urged international media and commentators to report responsibly and avoid sensationalism. “We call on all stakeholders to respect facts and support Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and criminality,” he concluded.
