Nigeria Refutes Claims of Targeted Killings of Christians, Urges Caution Against Misinformation
By Omonu YG NelsonÂ
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has refutied claims of targeted killings of Christians in the country.
A statement by signed by the Acting spokesman of the ministry, Kimebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, expressed strong concern over the recent wave of misinformation and misleading reports, which it believes are intended to influence foreign governments, particularly the United States, to designate Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to violence against Christians.
According to the ministry, the Federal Government acknowledges the security challenges facing the nation but emphasises that these incidents are not driven by religious bias or targeted at any particular religious group. “Any narrative that seeks to give such incidents a coloration of religious persecution is erroneous and misleading,” the ministry stated.
The government noted that Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation, committed to protecting the lives and properties of all citizens, irrespective of faith, ethnicity, or gender.
The ministry also highlighted the efforts made by the government to address security concerns, including the deployment of security forces, intelligence gathering, and community engagement initiatives.
The government urged the international community to exercise caution and verify information before drawing conclusions or making statements that could exacerbate tensions within Nigeria.
“We call on all stakeholders, including the media, civil society organizations, and foreign partners, to refrain from spreading unverified claims that could undermine national unity and stability,” the ministry said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasised that Nigeria remains a beacon of religious tolerance and coexistence in Africa and is committed to preserving this heritage.
“We welcome constructive dialogue and support from the international community in addressing our security challenges. However, we strongly reject any attempts to wrongly designate the country, distort the narrative, or sow seeds of discord among our people,” the ministry concluded.