FG insists US wrong on religious persecution claim

The Federal Government has said the United States’ designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over alleged violations of religious freedom is based on a wrong perception of the country’s security challenges.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja while addressing journalists.

Idris said the US position stemmed from “misrepresentation and misinformation” about Nigeria’s internal security situation.

According to him, terrorism and violent crimes in Nigeria do not target any particular religious group.

Idris said, “Nigeria faces long-standing security challenges that have impacted Christians and Muslims alike.

“Any narrative suggesting that the Nigerian state is failing to take action against religious attacks is based on misinformation or faulty data.”

The minister stated that since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, security agencies have neutralised more than 13,500 terrorists, arrested over 17,000 suspects, and rescued more than 9,850 abducted persons, including women and children.

He said, “Since May of 2023, when he took office, Nigeria’s security agencies have neutralised more than 13,500 terrorists through sustained operations, and they have arrested over 17,000 suspects who are now undergoing interrogation and prosecution for various offences.

“Also, more than 9,850 people abducted by these terrorists, including women and children, have been rescued and reintegrated with their families. It is important to note that the menace of terrorism in Nigeria does not exclusively target any religious or ethnic group.

“We have made stricter efforts in containing access to small arms and live weapons by non-state actors. Security agencies have recovered and disarmed over 5,000 military dreadlocks. They have also intercepted over 20 home-run networks in the past few months.

“Over 11,200 hostages have been freed, 11,200 hostages, and this is still going on. More importantly, over 124 insurgents and their families have surrendered.

“They have handed over more than 11,000 weapons to the security agencies. In the Northwest, especially in Zamfara and Kaduna, 11,250 hostages have been freed, and some of the terror leaders that have made life very unbearable for people there have been neutralised,” he said.

Idris noted that factors such as the influx of illegal arms from the Sahel, the fallout of the Libyan crisis, climate change, and farmer–herder conflicts have contributed to Nigeria’s security challenges and must be understood within a broader context.

He said Tinubu had overhauled the security architecture with new service chiefs, increased defence spending, and procured modern equipment for security agencies.

Citing the Global Terrorism Index, he said terrorism-related incidents in Nigeria were at their lowest level in more than 10 years, adding that several high-profile terror leaders had been neutralised while suspects linked to major attacks were already being prosecuted.

The minister stressed that Nigeria remains open to cooperation with international partners, including the U.S., but urged them to approach the situation with “an understanding of its complexities.”

“Nigeria welcomes dialogue, collaboration, and support from foreign nations. But our security challenge must not be interpreted through a narrow or inaccurate religious lens,” Idris said.

He added that Tinubu was engaging diplomatic channels to address the concerns raised by Washington and to correct what he described as a “misjudgment of Nigeria’s reality.”

He added, “The Government of Nigeria remains open and willing to work closely with the international community, including the United States and other partners, to achieve the shared goal of completely eliminating terrorism and violent extremism on Nigerian soil. The President has pledged to ensure that all those making the country unsafe are permanently removed.

“Regarding the current misrepresentation of Nigeria’s security situation by the United States, President Tinubu is taking the lead in addressing all areas of misunderstanding through diplomatic and political channels.

“While we welcome collaboration, assistance, and partnership from all foreign allies, including the United States, Nigeria is not denying that we face serious security challenges.

We invite all our partners and friends to join us in understanding our situation and supporting our efforts to eliminate this menace.”

The report that US President Donald Trump warned that he may deploy American forces to Nigeria unless the alleged killings of Christians stop.

In a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trump said he had directed the “Department of War” to prepare for “possible action” if the violence continued.

He also threatened to suspend US aid to Nigeria should Tinubu’s administration fail to halt the alleged persecution.