The Federal Government has pushed back against suggestions of religious persecution in Nigeria, insisting that the country has no policy targeting any faith group and describing current violence as the result of complex security threats rather than religious bias.
Reacting to a joint report submitted to the White House by the United States House Foreign Affairs Committee and the United States House Appropriations Committee, the government said it views the development as part of ongoing international engagement on Nigeria’s security situation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed while Nigeria continues to face terrorism, banditry and communal clashes, these challenges are not rooted in any state-backed religious agenda.
“It is important to state clearly that Nigeria does not have, and has never had, a state policy of religious persecution, 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,”Idris said.
He added: “Nigeria acknowledges that parts of the country continue to face serious security challenges, including terrorism, banditry and communal conflicts that have tragically affected many communities. We extend our sympathies to all victims and their families, regardless of faith, ethnicity or region.”
The minister reiterated that the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and worship, stressing that the government remains firmly committed to those protections.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees freedom of religion and freedom of worship for all citizens. The Federal Government remains firmly committed to upholding these constitutional protections and ensuring equal protection under the law,” he said.
Detailing steps taken to address insecurity, Idris stressed that coordinated military and law enforcement operations have been intensified in affected regions, leading to the disruption of kidnapping networks and the arrest and neutralisation of key criminal elements.
“In response to evolving security threats, the Federal Government has significantly strengthened coordinated military and law enforcement operations across affected regions. Ongoing counter-terrorism offensives have degraded the capacity of armed groups and improved territorial control,” he stated.
He also disclosed that surveillance and clearance operations in forested areas have been expanded, with specially trained forest guards deployed to deny terrorists and bandits safe havens.
On Nigeria’s relationship with the United States, Idris said the country remains open to constructive engagement.
“Nigeria values its longstanding and strategic partnership with the United States. We remain open to constructive dialogue and cooperation rooted in mutual respect, shared responsibility, and recognition of Nigeria’s constitutional framework and sovereignty,” he said.
He assured that the Federal Government would continue to engage international partners diplomatically while prioritising its constitutional responsibility to protect all Nigerians.