The Federal Government has formally rejected a report by the United States Congress that alleges the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, dismissing the findings as a misrepresentation of the country’s security challenges.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Nigeriaโs Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, firmly denied the existence of any state-sanctioned policy targeting individuals based on their faith.
“It is important to state clearly that Nigeria does not have, and has never had, a state policy of religious persecution,” the Minister said. He argued that the violence plaguing parts of the nation is not driven by religious bias but by complex security threats. “The violence being confronted by our security agencies is not driven by government policy or religious bias, but by complex security threats, including terrorism, organised criminality, and longstanding communal tensions.”
The rejection follows the submission of a formal report to the White House on Monday by the United States House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs. The report detailed the committees’ findings on the alleged persecution of Christian communities.
This congressional investigation was launched after President Donald Trumpโs decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) on religious freedom grounds. The inquiry was led by Congressman Riley Moore and Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Tom Cole, focusing on reported attacks on Christians by terrorist groups and the broader security environment.
Following their investigation, Congressman Moore stated that the US team had gained a “clear understanding” of the security threats and alleged persecution, urging the Nigerian government to use this as an opportunity to strengthen its bilateral relationship with the United States.
In its rebuttal, the Nigerian government emphasized its constitutional and legal framework, which it says guarantees freedom for all citizens.
The Minister stressed that while Nigeria battles insecurity, the Constitution “guarantees freedom of religion and freedom of worship for all citizens. The Federal Government remains firmly committed to upholding these constitutional protections and to ensuring equal protection under the law.”
To address the root causes of the instability, the government highlighted ongoing efforts to improve humanitarian responses for internally displaced persons, facilitate the safe return of affected communities, and promote community-based peacebuilding initiatives aimed at fostering long-term, sustainable coexistence among all Nigerians.
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