Federal Government Denies Targeted Killings of Christians, Counters US Congress Claims
The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly countered claims by the US Congress that Christians are being targeted for killings in parts of the country, describing the narrative as misleading and the work of “fifth columnists” seeking to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government emphasized that the security challenges in Nigeria are not driven by religious bias and urged the international community to verify facts before drawing conclusions.
Government’s Response
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, expressed concern over what it termed a wave of misinformation aimed at influencing foreign governments, particularly the United States, to impose sanctions on Nigeria.
“While the federal government acknowledges the security challenges confronting the nation, it is imperative to clarify that these negative activities are not driven by religious bias, nor targeted against any particular religious group,” the statement read.
The government highlighted that the majority of incidents related to insurgency and banditry occur in the predominantly Muslim northern part of Nigeria and are not directed at followers of any specific faith.
“Any narrative that seeks to give such incidents a coloration of religious persecution is erroneous and misleading,” the statement added.
Security Efforts and Initiatives
The statement outlined the government’s efforts to address the security challenges, including the deployment of security forces, intelligence gathering, and community engagement initiatives. It also noted the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development and the appointment of a Special Adviser on Livestock Reforms to address conflicts between farmers and herders.
“The government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has taken significant steps to address these security concerns,” the statement said. “The military has recorded substantial gains in curtailing the activities of bandits and insurgents.”
Call for Caution and Dialogue
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the international community to exercise caution and avoid spreading unverified claims that could undermine national unity and stability.
“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 statement concluded.
Dambazau’s Perspective
Former Interior Minister and retired Military General Abdulrahman Dambazau also countered the US Congress claims, arguing that Muslims, particularly in the North, are disproportionately affected by the ongoing security crisis.
“The US Congress got it wrong,” Dambazau stated. “While it’s true that churches and Christian pastors have been attacked, mosques and Islamic clerics have not been spared. The vast majority of victims, especially in the Northeast, are Muslims.”
He cited Zamfara State, a region heavily impacted by banditry, as an example, noting that 99% of its population is Muslim. “We hear of dozens of Muslims being killed almost weekly by these bandits. To portray this as Christian persecution is a gross misrepresentation of the facts,” he emphasized.
Dambazau criticized individuals like Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, who testified before the US Congress, for allegedly portraying the situation as a government-driven campaign against Christians.
“It is not about religion,” Dambazau asserted. “It is about the fact that these victims are Nigerians, and they require protection against these horrible people. They make it look as if it is a systemic issue, that maybe the government is coming out, as a matter of policy, to persecute these people. That is wrong.”
Broader Context and Warnings
Dambazau called for a more nuanced understanding of Nigeria’s security challenges, emphasizing the role of poverty, inequality, and governance failures. He warned that imposing sanctions based on a flawed understanding of the conflict could exacerbate tensions and hinder progress.
In a post on his X handle (@mypd2020), Dambazau stated, “To impede the progress of a country like Nigeria has been made easy mainly by using the religious and ethnic fault lines. The fed to the US Congress by religious leaders from Nigeria that the insurgency and banditry is targeting only Christians is unfortunate.”
He added, “The same US Congress recently said that the USAID, a US-based agency, is the main sponsor of Boko Haram and other terrorist organisations. The question is, who is killing the Muslims and displacing them in their thousands and millions? Is it a USAID project or those making the false accusations or both? Nigerians should learn to approach and solve their problems, while the US solves theirs, otherwise, we remain in perpetual stagnation.”
Implications for Nigeria
The Federal Government’s response and Dambazau’s remarks underscore the complexity of Nigeria’s security challenges and the need for accurate, context-driven narratives. Mischaracterizing the conflict as religious persecution risks deepening divisions and undermining efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability.
Conclusion
The Federal Government’s denial of targeted killings of Christians and its call for a balanced understanding of Nigeria’s security challenges highlight the importance of fact-based dialogue and international cooperation. As Nigeria continues to address its multifaceted security issues, the focus must remain on protecting all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, and fostering unity in the face of adversity.
