FG Accuses US Lobbyists of Spreading False ‘Christian Genocide’ Narrative in Nigeria
The Federal Government has accused foreign lobbyists, particularly from the United States, of fueling claims of a so-called “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, describing it as a deliberate campaign to misrepresent the nation’s internal security challenges.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday. He alleged that government investigations revealed links between some foreign lobbyists and individuals influencing criminal activities in Nigeria.
“The Nigerian government has discovered a correlation between certain US-based lobbyists and local actors promoting falsehoods about religious persecution. These individuals have direct connections with those amplifying these misleading narratives abroad,” Idris stated.
The Minister’s comments come in response to the United States’ redesignation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’, citing alleged religious persecution and mass killings of Christians — a claim Nigeria strongly rejects.
Idris clarified that while insecurity remains a serious issue, the violence affects both Christians and Muslims, emphasizing that there is no credible evidence of targeted religious persecution in the country.
“Nigeria faces long-standing security challenges that have impacted all communities. Any suggestion that the state tolerates attacks on religious grounds is based on misinformation,” he added.
The Minister described the U.S. assessment as a result of “misrepresentation and misinformation,” stressing that armed groups in Nigeria operate primarily as criminal or terror organizations, not along religious lines.
Highlighting recent government efforts, Idris noted that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Nigerian security forces have:
- Neutralized over 13,500 terrorists
- Arrested more than 17,000 suspects
- Rescued about 9,850 abducted victims since May 2023.
He reaffirmed that the government remains committed to working with international partners to end terrorism and restore lasting peace.
“We will continue to engage constructively with global stakeholders to ensure Nigeria’s story is told accurately and fairly,” Idris concluded.
