The Federal Government of Nigeria has faulted the position of the United States Congress on alleged persecution of Christians in the country.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, insisted that Nigeria has never had a state policy of religious persecution.
“It is important to state clearly that Nigeria does not have, and has never had, a state policy of religious persecution,” Idris said.
He explained that the violence confronting Nigeria is driven by terrorism, organised crime, and communal tensions, not government policy or religious bias.
On Monday, the US House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs submitted a report to the White House alleging persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The report followed President Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and directed Congressman Riley Moore and Committee Chairman Tom Cole to investigate.
Moore said the US team now had a clearer understanding of Nigeria’s security threats and urged the government to strengthen ties with Washington.
The Federal Government stressed that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and worship for all citizens. Idris added that efforts are ongoing to improve humanitarian response for displaced persons, facilitate safe community returns, and promote peacebuilding initiatives.
“The Federal Government remains firmly committed to upholding these constitutional protections and to ensuring equal protection under the law,” he stated.
The government maintained that allegations of ransom payments or persecution based on religion undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s security forces.
