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

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described such claims as “false, baseless, despicable, and divisive,” warning that portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a targeted campaign against a single religious group misrepresents reality and undermines national unity.

“While Nigeria faces security challenges, including acts of terrorism, couching the situation as a deliberate attack on Christians is inaccurate and harmful,” the Minister said. He emphasized that terrorist groups target all citizens—Muslims, Christians, and non-religious alike—who reject their ideology.

The Federal Government highlighted recent military and security achievements to counter terrorism. According to the statement, between May 2023 and February 2025, over 13,543 terrorists were neutralized and nearly 10,000 hostages rescued across multiple operations. Notably, last month, top leaders of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU), an Al-Qaeda affiliate, were captured in a major counter-terrorism operation.

“These feats demonstrate the determination and success of our security forces and expose as unfounded the notion that Nigeria is passively tolerating religiously motivated terrorism,” Idris stated.

The government also underscored the inclusive nature of Nigeria’s security and leadership structures, pointing out that both the current heads of the Armed Forces and the Police Force are Christians. It further cited Nigeria’s achievements in prosecuting Boko Haram suspects, with over 700 convictions secured to date and the eighth prosecution cycle already underway.

Beyond security, Nigeria continues to gain international recognition for interfaith harmony. The statement highlighted the March 2025 awarding of the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize to Rev. Dr. James Movel Wuye and Imam Dr. Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa, founders of the Interfaith Mediation Centre, for their decades-long efforts in fostering trust and tolerance between religious communities.

The Federal Government concluded by urging international media and commentators to prioritize accuracy and responsibility, warning against sensationalism that could fuel division. “Nigeria’s story is not one of religious genocide or persecution but of resilience, diversity, and a globally acknowledged commitment to peaceful coexistence,” Idris said.