By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
FALSE AND divisive allegations suggesting that terrorists in Nigeria are engaged in a systematic genocide against Christians have been firmly rejected by the Federal Government, which described such claims as baseless, misleading, and harmful to the country’s unity.
The government stressed that portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a targeted campaign against one religious group misrepresents reality and undermines national efforts to defeat terrorism.
While acknowledging the impact of criminal and terrorist activities, the government stated that the violence has never been confined to any particular faith or ethnic group.
According to the official position, terrorist groups in Nigeria have targeted Muslims, Christians, and those outside any faith who resist their ideology, with communities across the country suffering losses without religious distinction.
The statement underscored that Nigeria, like many other nations, is grappling with multifaceted security threats that cannot be reduced to one-sided narratives.
Figures released by the government indicated that between May 2023 and February 2025, more than 13,543 terrorists and criminals were neutralised, while nearly 10,000 hostages were freed through sustained military operations nationwide.
Last month, a head of a group known as Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU), identified as Nigeria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate, was captured in a coordinated counter-terrorism operation.
The arrested leaders were named as Mahmud Muhammad Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, Abbas, or Mukhtar, who styled himself as Emir of ANSARU, alongside Mahmud al-Nigeri, also called Mallam Mamuda, identified as Abu Bara’s Chief of Staff and Deputy.
The government stated that these achievements reflect the determination of security forces to dismantle terrorist networks, debunking allegations that Nigeria is tolerating or ignoring terrorism driven by religious bias.
Officials stressed that the country’s security institutions remain committed to accountability, with several court martials, and prosecutions conducted to uphold discipline and the rule of law.
Highlighting Nigeria’s diversity, the government reaffirmed that the nation is a multi-religious state with large populations of both Christians and Muslims.
It pointed to Nigeria’s unique position as home to one of the largest Muslim populations globally, while also hosting some of the biggest Pentecostal churches and the world’s largest Anglican congregation.
The statement clarified that Christianity is neither endangered nor marginalised in the country, noting that the current leadership of both the Armed Forces and the Police Force are Christians, further emphasising inclusivity at the national level.
On prosecutions, the government confirmed that Nigeria has completed seven cycles of trials for Boko Haram suspects, securing over 700 convictions.
The process has now entered its eighth phase, with authorities reiterating their determination to bring all perpetrators and sponsors of terrorism to justice.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who signed the statement on Sunday, 28 September 2025, affirmed that under President Bola Tinubu, the government is unwavering in its commitment to national security and justice.
He noted that efforts to degrade terrorist groups continue to gain ground, with sustained military pressure producing measurable outcomes.
Beyond security operations, the statement also highlighted recognition of Nigeria’s interfaith harmony initiatives.
In March 2025, the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize was awarded to Nigerian clerics Rev. Dr. James Movel Wuye and Imam Dr. Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa, co-founders of the Interfaith Mediation Centre.
Their decades-long work to strengthen trust and tolerance across faiths was cited as an example now adopted across all 56 Commonwealth nations.
The government stressed that Nigeria’s story is not one of religious genocide or persecution, but one of resilience, diversity, and a commitment to peaceful coexistence.
It urged international platforms, commentators, and media outlets to respect the facts, avoid sensationalism, and refrain from spreading narratives that undermine unity or embolden criminals.
Instead, they were called upon to support Nigeria’s ongoing fight against terrorism and criminality.
