The Nigerian government denies claims of targeted killings of Christians and insists that violence is not motivated by religious bias. It emphasizes a commitment to protecting all citizens, addressing communal conflicts, and calls for verification before spreading information that may harm national unity.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed concern over misinformation regarding alleged targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria. These claims are believed to be aimed at influencing foreign governments to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to violence against Christians. The government emphasizes that incidents of violence are not motivated by religious bias.
The Nigerian government recognizes security challenges in the country but clarifies that violence primarily occurs in the predominantly Muslim northern region without targeting any specific faith. It calls any narratives depicting these incidents as religious persecution misleading and erroneous.
As a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation, Nigeria is committed to protecting all citizens, regardless of their religion or ethnicity. Security challenges include criminality, terrorism, and communal conflicts like farmer-herder disputes, which do not originate from religious motivations.
Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, measures have been taken to enhance security through deployment of forces, improved intelligence, and community engagement. The military has made notable progress against banditry and insurgency, utilizing both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies.
To address communal clashes, the government has established a Ministry of Livestock Development and appointed special coordinators to handle pastoral farming issues, including land disputes between farmers and herders. This step is aimed at resolving critical root causes of conflicts.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges the international community to verify information before making accusations that may worsen tensions in Nigeria. They encourage stakeholders to avoid spreading unverified claims that could threaten national unity and stability.
Nigeria is touted as a model of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence in Africa and welcomes constructive international dialogue and support to confront its security challenges. The government firmly rejects any attempts to misrepresent the situation or incite discord among its people.
The Nigerian government firmly refutes allegations of targeted killings of Christians and emphasizes that religious bias is not a factor in the ongoing violence, which often stems from complex security issues. The commitment to national unity and verification of facts before making claims is expressed, along with an invitation for international cooperation in navigating security challenges.
Original Source: nta.ng
