FG to US: Don’t fall for misinformation on religious killings in Nigeria

The Nigerian government has strongly dismissed claims of targeted killings of Christians in the country, describing them as misleading and designed to manipulate foreign perceptions.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Friday, warning against misinformation aimed at pressuring the United States and other international bodies into designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over religious persecution.

According to the statement signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the Acting Spokesperson of the Ministry, Nigeria acknowledged its security challenges but rejected the assertion that religious bias is a driving factor in the violence afflicting parts of the country.

“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,” the statement read.

The government stressed that insurgency, banditry, and other forms of criminality, particularly in the predominantly Muslim northern region, are not targeted at followers of any specific faith.

“Any narrative that seeks to give such incidents a coloration of religious persecution is erroneous and misleading,” the Ministry asserted.

The statement further underscored Nigeria’s diverse religious and ethnic composition and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting all citizens irrespective of faith or ethnicity.

“Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation, and the government remains committed to protecting the lives and properties of all citizens, irrespective of faith, ethnicity, or gender,” the Ministry declared.

To address ongoing security concerns, the government highlighted various measures taken under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, including deploying security forces, enhancing intelligence gathering, and engaging communities in peace-building efforts.

“Indeed, the military has recorded substantial gains in curtailing the activities of bandits and insurgents,” the statement noted, adding that authorities have adopted both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to address security issues.

The government said a key component of the government’s strategy included resolving conflicts related to farmer-herder clashes, which had often been misrepresented as religiously motivated.

The government revealed that a Ministry of Livestock Development has been established to implement sustainable solutions.

“A Special Adviser and Coordinator of Livestock Reforms has been appointed to find sustainable solutions to pastoral farming, with a view to ending contestations over land between farmers and pastoral herders,” it added.

The Nigerian government also urged the international community, media, and civil society organizations to verify information before making statements that could heighten tensions.

“We call on all stakeholders, including the media, civil society organizations, and foreign partners, to refrain from spreading unverified claims that could undermine national unity and stability,” the Ministry cautioned.

Reiterating Nigeria’s legacy of religious tolerance, the statement emphasized that the country remains committed to fostering peaceful coexistence.

“Nigeria remains a beacon of religious tolerance and coexistence in Africa and is committed to preserving this heritage. We welcome constructive dialogue and support from the international community in addressing our security challenges,” it stated.

However, the government strongly rejected any attempts to distort the narrative or impose misleading designations on the country.

“We strongly reject any attempts to wrongly designate the country, distort the narrative, or sow seeds of discord among our people,” the statement concluded.