Federal Government Refutes US Embassy's Portrayal of Religious Crisis in Nigeria as ‘Islamist Extermination’ of Christians

The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially rejected the characterization of the country’s security situation as an “Islamist extermination” of Christians, following a recent post by the United States Embassy in Abuja and testimonies delivered by two Nigerian clerics at a U.S. Congressional hearing.

In a formal statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa addressed the remarks made during the hearing by Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and Reverend Father Remigius Ihyula, both of whom raised concerns about religious persecution in Nigeria.

The Ministry criticized the US Embassy’s social media post for amplifying what it described as "misleading narratives" and oversimplified depictions of Nigeria’s deeply complex security and intercommunal challenges.

“While we respect the right of the religious leaders to express their opinions as protected by the Nigerian Constitution, their testimonies do not accurately reflect the multifaceted nature of our internal security efforts,” the Ministry stated.

The Nigerian government called the depiction of unchecked religious violence unfair, emphasizing that it has consistently taken strategic and proactive measures to tackle insecurity. These include deploying military and law enforcement personnel to high-risk areas, investing in peacebuilding between herder and farming communities, enhancing intelligence operations, and implementing socioeconomic policies targeting root causes such as land disputes and poverty.

The Ministry stressed that the narrative suggesting indifference or inaction on the part of the Nigerian government is incorrect.

“Nigeria is contending with a range of security threats — from terrorism to banditry and organized crime — which affect citizens across religious and ethnic divides,” the statement added.

Reaffirming its stance on human rights and religious freedoms, the Federal Government reiterated its commitment to investigating any credible threats against religious figures, while calling for nuanced, accurate reporting that encourages cooperation and peacebuilding rather than division.

The statement concluded by rejecting what it referred to as an inflammatory and inaccurate portrayal of Nigeria's crisis, urging international observers to recognize the complexities on the ground and support efforts towards a peaceful resolution.

Source: Lindaikejisblog