The Federal Government has dismissed claims that terrorists in Nigeria are carrying out a systematic genocide against Christians, describing the allegations as false, divisive, and harmful.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a religiously targeted campaign grossly misrepresents the reality.

“The Federal Government strongly condemns and categorically refutes recent allegations by certain international platforms and online influencers suggesting that terrorists in Nigeria are engaged in a systematic genocide against Christians,” Idris said.

“Such claims are false, baseless, despicable, and divisive. They oversimplify a complex security environment and play into the hands of terrorists who seek to divide Nigerians along religious or ethnic lines.”

According to the minister, extremists have attacked Nigerians of all faiths. He stressed that Christians, Muslims, and even those without religious affiliation have all been victims of terrorism.

Idris also highlighted military gains, noting that between May 2023 and February 2025, security forces killed 13,543 terrorists and criminals while rescuing nearly 10,000 hostages. He further recalled the recent capture of leaders of Ansaru, al-Qaeda’s Nigerian affiliate, and disclosed that courts have secured over 700 convictions against Boko Haram suspects.

“It is doubtful that foreign commentators are aware that the current heads of both the armed forces and the police are Christians—clear evidence of Nigeria’s inclusive leadership,” Idris said.

He also pointed to international recognition of Nigeria’s interfaith efforts, citing the March 2025 Commonwealth Peace Prize awarded to Rev. James Movel Wuye and Imam Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa, co-founders of the Interfaith Mediation Centre.

The minister urged international observers to avoid sensationalism and instead support Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.