Security Challenges Not Faith-Based, Says Nigeria as it Repudiates US Religious Persecution Label
The Federal Government has dismissed the United States’ designation of Nigeria as a country of particular concern over alleged religious persecution, insisting that no group in the country is targeted based on faith.
At a diplomatic briefing held in Abuja on Wednesday, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, told members of the diplomatic corps that claims of religious persecution in Nigeria were unfounded and misrepresented the nation’s legal and social realities.
Ahmed explained that Nigeria’s laws were religion-neutral and designed to guarantee equal protection for all citizens, noting that there was no national law criminalising blasphemy.
He added that Shari’a laws applied in some northern states were restricted to Muslims and operated under the supervision of the national judicial system.
“Christian and Muslim institutions continue to operate freely, promoting peaceful coexistence,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, faulted the US report, describing it as a product of “misrepresentation and misinformation.”
Idris stressed that the country’s security challenges stemmed from criminality and terrorism, not religious intolerance.
“Criminal activities and terrorism do not target any particular religious group. This is not about religion; it is about crime,” he said.
The minister revealed that since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, security agencies had intensified counter-terrorism operations, neutralising over 13,500 terrorists, arresting more than 17,000 suspects, and rescuing about 9,850 abducted persons, including women and children.
He added that the President was taking diplomatic steps to clarify Nigeria’s position and ensure that Washington’s assessment of the country’s security situation reflected reality.
“President Tinubu is engaging diplomatic and political channels to address all areas of misunderstanding. While we welcome collaboration from all foreign allies, a including the United States, Nigeria is not denying that we face serious security challenges. We invite our partners to understand our situation and support our efforts to eliminate this menace,” Idris stated.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to work with international partners to strengthen the global fight against terrorism and violent extremism, assuring that the Tinubu administration remained committed to protecting citizens’ rights and fostering religious harmony.
