The Federal Government of Nigeria has described reports of the killings targeted at Christians in the country as misleading and inaccurate.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa said the report is an attempt to influence foreign governments, particularly the United States, to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
Ebienfa said the government of President Bola Tinubu is committed to the protecting of all Nigerians irrespective of their religion, gender or ethnicity.
He said, “It should be noted that the majority of incidents relating to insurgency and banditry that occur in the predominantly Muslim northern part of Nigeria are not targeted at followers of a particular faith or religion. Any narrative that seeks to give such incidents a coloration of religious persecution is erroneous and misleading.
“Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation and the government remains committed to protecting the lives and properties of all citizens, irrespective of faith, ethnicity, or gender. The security issues in Nigeria are complex and multifaceted and manifest as criminality, terrorism and communal clashes – including farmer/herder confrontation, that do not have any religious connotation,” Ebienfa said.