"Nigerian Government Reports Terrorist Attacks on Christians and Muslims"

Table of Contents

• Government Explanation of Service Chiefs Changes
• Focus on Security Challenges
• Addressing Misleading Claims
• Religious Tolerance in Nigeria
• Government's Commitment to Security
• Renewed Efforts Against Security Challenges

The Nigerian government has clarified that the recent changes in service chiefs are intended to enhance the security framework, ensuring that the government can respond effectively to any situation.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this statement while highlighting the Tinubu administration's renewed commitment to addressing Nigeria’s security issues to ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens.

During an interview on CNN on Tuesday night, Idris refuted claims made by some foreign officials suggesting that terrorists in Nigeria exclusively target Christians. He described such statements as misleading and not reflective of the country's complex security landscape, emphasizing that the right to religious freedom is protected by the nation's constitution.

“Some of the statements made by certain officials from the United States are based on inaccurate data and assumptions that the victims of this violence are predominantly Christians. While it is true that Christians are among the victims, these criminals do not exclusively target one religion. They attack both Christians and Muslims, particularly in the northern regions of the country,” he stated.

He added that those promoting such narratives are inadvertently aiding criminals whose ultimate goal is to incite conflict between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria.

Idris emphasized that Nigeria is a nation that values religious tolerance, cautioning that spreading a false narrative of intolerance could unintentionally create divisions between Christians and Muslims.

“Labeling these incidents as attacks on Christians could lead to further division in Nigeria. The criminals aim to portray the country as if there is a conflict between Christians and Muslims.

“We have witnessed attacks on Christians, but we have also seen attacks on Muslims. It is incorrect to depict Nigeria as a country lacking in religious freedom, and it is equally erroneous to claim that Nigeria is unsafe overall. Nigeria is indeed a safe country,” he asserted.

The minister acknowledged that while security challenges persist, the government is addressing them with determination and sustained effort.

“Indeed, we have experienced security challenges in Nigeria, but we must also recognize the government's significant drive to ensure that Nigeria is ultimately safe for everyone,” he remarked.

He pointed out that Nigeria has faced security challenges since 2009, but noted that in the past two years, there has been renewed momentum and resolve to eliminate these threats.

“In the last two years, there has been a renewed focus and significant attention dedicated to making Nigeria secure. We have made substantial investments in military resources and have also invested in other sectors such as agriculture and social services to ensure that non-military approaches contribute to the stability of our nation.

“The recent changes in service chiefs are part of our efforts to strengthen our security architecture, ensuring that the government can effectively respond to every situation,” he concluded.