The Federal Government has firmly rejected claims circulating on international platforms and social media suggesting that terrorists in Nigeria are carrying out a systematic genocide against Christians.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in a statement on Sunday, described the allegations as “false, baseless, and dangerously divisive,” warning that such narratives distort reality and play into the hands of terrorists who seek to polarize Nigerians along religious and ethnic lines.

“Nigeria’s security challenges, like those of many other nations, are complex and multifaceted, and should not be mischaracterised as a targeted assault on any particular faith,” Idris said.

According to him, terrorists and criminal groups strike indiscriminately, with Muslims, Christians, and people of no religious affiliation all among their victims.

Citing recent security gains, the Minister revealed that between May 2023 and February 2025, more than 13,543 terrorists and criminals were neutralised, while nearly 10,000 hostages were rescued in nationwide military operations. He also noted that the leadership of ANSARU, an Al-Qaeda affiliate in Nigeria, was recently captured in a coordinated raid , a development he said “debunks the narrative that Nigeria tolerates religiously motivated terrorism.”

Reaffirming Nigeria’s status as a multi-religious state, Idris stressed that Christianity is neither endangered nor marginalised in the country. “Both the Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector General of Police are Christians, proof of the inclusivity of our national leadership,” he added.

He pointed to over 700 convictions of Boko Haram suspects, as well as ongoing accountability measures within the military and police through court martials and prosecutions.

Highlighting Nigeria’s global recognition for interfaith harmony, Idris recalled that two clerics, Rev. Dr. James Movel Wuye and Imam Dr. Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa, recently won the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize for their decades-long work fostering trust and tolerance.

“The Nigerian story is not one of religious genocide, but of resilience, diversity, and peaceful coexistence,” Idris stressed. He reaffirmed that under President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Government remains committed to justice, security, and peace for all citizens.

The Minister urged international media outlets and commentators to respect the facts, avoid sensationalism, and support Nigeria’s counter-terrorism and peacebuilding efforts.