The Federal Government of Nigeria has responded to a joint report submitted to the White House on Monday by the US House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Appropriations Committee, which addressed Christian persecution and security issues in the country.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, acknowledged that some parts of Nigeria continue to face serious security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, and communal conflicts, causing significant loss of lives and property. He extended the government’s sympathies to all victims, irrespective of faith, ethnicity, or region.
“Nigeria does not have, and has never had, a state policy of religious persecution. The violence being confronted by our security agencies arises from terrorism, organised crime, and long-standing communal tensions, not government bias. Our Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and worship for all citizens, and we remain committed to ensuring equal protection under the law,” the statement read.
It further highlighted measures taken to address security threats, including strengthened military and law enforcement operations, counter-terrorism offensives, disruption of kidnapping networks, and arrest or neutralisation of key criminal elements. Intelligence sharing, inter-agency collaboration, and early warning systems have been enhanced, especially in vulnerable rural areas.
According to the statement, other steps include surveillance and clearance operations in forested areas exploited by criminal groups, deployment of specially trained forest guards, and investments in equipment, mobility assets, and technology for security agencies. It added that the government is also improving humanitarian responses for internally displaced persons, facilitating safe community returns, and promoting community-based peacebuilding initiatives.
The statement emphasised Nigeria’s strategic partnership with the United States, noting shared interests in security, economic development, and regional stability. It affirmed the government’s openness to constructive dialogue and cooperation grounded in mutual respect and recognition of Nigeria’s constitutional framework and sovereignty.
Related
