From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly refuted allegations that Christians in the country are victims of targeted killings, describing such claims as misleading and designed to sow discord.
The rebuttal follows a recent report by the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, which alleged that Nigeria accounts for 90 percent of all Christians killed globally each year.
The report, presented before the U.S. Congress’ Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, claimed that between October 2019 and September 2023, over 55,000 people were killed, while an additional 21,000 were abducted by terrorist groups.
Reacting in a statement on Friday, the Acting Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, condemned what he described as an attempt to distort the narrative and influence foreign governments, particularly the United States, into designating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC).
“The unfortunate development is aimed at wrongly classifying Nigeria by promoting a divisive narrative that misrepresents the security situation in the country,” the statement read.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s security challenges, the government maintained that violence and criminal activities are not religiously motivated, nor are they targeted at any particular group.
It further clarified that insurgency and banditry, particularly in the predominantly Muslim northern region, affect individuals of all faiths, stressing that any attempt to frame such incidents as religious persecution is inaccurate and misleading.
“Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation, and the government remains committed to protecting the lives and property of all citizens, regardless of faith, ethnicity, or gender,” the statement added.
The government emphasised that security threats in the country are complex and multifaceted, manifesting as terrorism, banditry, communal clashes, and farmer-herder conflicts, none of which are driven by religious bias.
It also highlighted the steps taken by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address security concerns, including enhanced military operations, intelligence gathering, and community engagement initiatives.
“The Nigerian military has recorded substantial gains in curtailing the activities of bandits and insurgents. Additionally, both federal and state governments have implemented kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, including the expedited execution of the National Livestock Plan,” the statement said.
To tackle recurring farmer-herder conflicts, the government revealed that it had established a Ministry of Livestock Development and appointed a Special Adviser on Livestock Reforms to find sustainable solutions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the international community to exercise caution and verify information before making statements that could escalate tensions in Nigeria.
It also called on stakeholders, including the media, civil society organizations, and foreign partners, to refrain from spreading unverified claims that could undermine national unity and stability.
“Nigeria remains a beacon of religious tolerance and coexistence in Africa, and the government is committed to preserving this heritage. We welcome constructive dialogue and support from the international community in tackling security challenges,” the statement concluded.
