Nigeria’s security challenges have no religious colouration — FG

The Federal Government has declared that the security challenges facing the country are not motivated by religious bias.

According to the government, the majority of the violence in the predominantly Muslim northern region stems from criminality, insurgency, and banditry, not religious persecution.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement signed by its acting spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, stated this on Friday in rejection of recent reports alleging targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria.

Describing the report as part of a misleading campaign aimed at influencing foreign governments to designate the country as a “Country of Particular Concern” due to violence against Christians, the government emphasised that the country’s insecurity had no religious colouration.

According to reports, the United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa authorised the U.S. President to impose sanctions on Nigeria due to the widespread killing of Christians and escalating religious violence within the country.

The approval came after a congressional hearing on Wednesday, where lawmakers expressed frustration over the Nigerian government’s failure to protect Christian communities from ongoing attacks.

A report by the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, cited during the hearing, revealed that Nigeria accounted for 90 per cent of all Christians killed globally each year during the period under review.

Between October 2019 and September 2023, over 55,000 people were killed, while 21,000 were abducted by terrorist groups.

However, the Federal Government acknowledged the security challenges facing the country, but explained that they were not directed at any particular religious group.

The statement read in part, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to express strong concern over the recent wave of misinformation and misleading reports regarding the alleged targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria.

“The unfortunate development is intended to influence foreign governments, especially the United States Government, to designate Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern due to the violence against Christians.

“While the Federal Government acknowledges the security challenges confronting the nation, it is imperative to clarify that these negative activities are not driven by religious bias, nor targeted against any particular religious group.

“It should be noted that the majority of incidents relating to insurgency and banditry that occur in the predominantly Muslim northern part of Nigeria are not specifically targeted at followers of a particular faith or religion. Any narrative that seeks to give such incidents a colouration of religious persecution is erroneous and misleading,” the statement read in part.

The government emphasised that Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious nation, and it remains committed to protecting all citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity.

While highlighting its ongoing efforts to combat security threats, including military actions against insurgents and bandits, as well as efforts to address communal clashes—such as those between farmers and herders—the government said President Bola Tinubu had taken significant steps to address security concerns.

The government urged the international community to verify information before making statements that could deepen tensions in Nigeria. It also called on the media, civil society organisations, and foreign partners to avoid spreading unverified claims, stressing the importance of national unity and stability.