The Federal Government has debunked claims of targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria, describing them as misleading and aimed at influencing foreign governments, particularly the United States, to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, CPC.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf M. Tuggar, in a press statement on Friday by the acting spokesperson of the ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said that while the Federal Government acknowledges the security challenges in the country, the incidents were not religiously motivated or targeted at any particular faith group.
It stressed that insurgency and banditry in the predominantly Muslim northern region of Nigeria are not directed at any specific religious community.
It should be recalled that U.S. Congressional reports have previously expressed concerns about religious freedom in Nigeria, leading to the country’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern in the past.
However, the Nigerian government has consistently refuted such claims, asserting that the security challenges are complex and not rooted in religious persecution.
The ministry noted that Nigeria is a multiethnic and multireligious nation with a long history of peaceful coexistence between people of different faiths, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting all citizens, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or gender.
It further explained that the ongoing security challenges stem from criminality, terrorism, and communal clashes, particularly conflicts between farmers and herders, which have been exacerbated by climate change, population growth, and competition over land resources.
The statement outlined the measures that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has taken to address security concerns, including deploying security forces across conflict-prone areas, enhancing intelligence gathering, and improving cooperation between security agencies.
The statement also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to freedom of religion and interfaith harmony, adding that the government would continue to work with religious leaders and stakeholders to promote peace.
“Nigeria remains a beacon of religious tolerance and coexistence in Africa and is committed to preserving this heritage,” the statement read.