Foreign lobbyists behind claims of Christian genocide, religious bias in Nigeria – FG

The Federal Government has dismissed allegations of systemic religious persecution in Nigeria, describing such claims as foreign propaganda fueled by lobbyists—particularly from the United States—who are influencing global perceptions about the country’s security situation.

Responding to accusations that it was not doing enough to combat terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping, the government revealed that no fewer than 13,500 terrorists have been killed and 17,000 suspects arrested in ongoing security operations.

In a related development, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, wrote to former U.S. President Donald Trump, rejecting claims of targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria. Keyamo maintained that the allegations were baseless and did not reflect the realities on the ground.

However, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, a vocal critic of Nigeria’s handling of religious violence, vowed to release the names of government officials allegedly complicit in the persecution of Christians. Similarly, U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore criticized China’s condemnation of Trump’s proposed military response to Nigeria, insisting that Beijing had no authority to influence U.S. foreign policy decisions.

Speaking during a briefing with members of the diplomatic community in Abuja, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, reiterated that Nigeria remains a secular democracy where citizens of all faiths coexist peacefully.

Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, Tuggar said:

“Recent external claims suggesting systemic religious persecution in Nigeria are unfounded, inaccurate, and fail to reflect the reality of our pluralistic and tolerant society. Nigeria’s secular nature remains deeply embedded in both our Constitution and national ethos, guaranteeing freedom of religion and belief to every citizen.”

He explained that such narratives often arise from the misinterpretation of isolated incidents rather than any government-backed discrimination. Tuggar urged international observers to rely on verified data and credible local sources before drawing conclusions about Nigeria’s internal affairs.

Reaffirming the country’s commitment to inclusivity, Tuggar emphasized that Christians and Muslims hold leadership positions across all levels of government. He also praised the work of interfaith organizations such as the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) in promoting unity and dialogue among religious groups.

“The Nigerian state is secular in both structure and function,” Tuggar said. “Policies and institutions operate without religious bias. The recent classification of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ is fundamentally misinformed.”

On national security, he noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has adopted a comprehensive approach—blending military operations, intelligence, diplomacy, and community engagement.

“Operations such as Hadin Kai and Lake Sanity have significantly weakened Boko Haram and ISWAP, reclaimed territories, and facilitated the return of millions of displaced persons,” Tuggar added.

He concluded by assuring that Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees full freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, pledging that the government will continue to foster interfaith harmony and strengthen national unity.