The Federal Government has rejected claims of Christian persecution in Nigeria, following a joint report submitted to the White House by the United States Congress.
The report, compiled by the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Appropriations Committee, raised concerns over security developments and alleged religious persecution in parts of Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed the allegations as unfounded, insisting that Nigeria has never adopted a policy of religious persecution.
According to the minister, violence across parts of the country is driven by terrorism, banditry and communal conflicts, not government-backed religious targeting.
“It is important to state clearly that Nigeria does not have, and has never had, a state policy of religious persecution,” the statement read.
The government expressed sympathy to victims of insecurity, regardless of faith, ethnicity or region, noting that criminal attacks have affected both Christian and Muslim communities.
The Federal Government stressed that the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and worship for all citizens. It reaffirmed its commitment to equal protection under the law.
Officials also highlighted ongoing military and law enforcement operations aimed at tackling terrorism and organised criminal networks.
The government said counter-terrorism offensives have disrupted kidnapping networks and degraded the operational capacity of armed groups.
It added that intelligence sharing and inter-agency coordination have been strengthened to improve early warning and rapid response, particularly in rural communities.
Specially trained forest guards have also been deployed to deny terrorists and bandits safe havens in forested areas. Authorities said investments in mobility assets, equipment and surveillance technology have been increased to boost security operations.
Nigeria reaffirmed its longstanding partnership with the United States, stating that both countries share common interests in promoting security and regional stability.
The government said it remains open to constructive dialogue through diplomatic channels, while prioritising the protection of all Nigerians.
