The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally responded to a joint report from the U.S. House Foreign Affairs and Appropriations Committees regarding security and allegations of religious persecution, framing the document as a potential “catalyst for broader cooperation” between the two nations.
In a statement released Tuesday by the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the government addressed the report submitted to the White House on Monday, which detailed concerns over the safety of Christian communities in Nigeria. While acknowledging the severity of the nation’s security climate, officials underscored that violence in the region is driven by organized crime and terrorism, rather than state-sanctioned discrimination.
A Denial of Religious Bias
The Federal Government was explicit in distancing itself from any claims that religion plays a role in official policy. The statement emphasized that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees the freedom of worship for all citizens.
“It is important to state clearly that Nigeria does not have, and has never had, a state policy of religious persecution,” stated Mohammed Idris, the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation. “The violence being confronted by our security agencies is not driven by government policy or religious bias, but by complex security threats, including terrorism, organized criminality, and longstanding communal tensions.”
Escalation of Counter-Terrorism Efforts
To combat the complex threats cited in the U.S. report, the government highlighted a significant surge in coordinated military and law enforcement operations. These efforts are reportedly focused on degrading the capacity of armed groups and dismantling lucrative kidnapping networks, by the neutralization of criminal elements, specialized forest guards, and technological investment which is to ehance funding is being directed toward mobility assets and surveillance technology to give the Armed Forces a technical edge in vulnerable rural communities.
Commitment to Sovereignty and Partnership
Despite the critical nature of the U.S. Congressional report, Nigeria signaled a desire to maintain its strategic partnership with Washington. The government expressed a willingness to engage in “constructive dialogue,” provided such talks respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and constitutional framework.
Beyond military action, the Minister noted that the government is prioritizing the humanitarian response for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and fostering community-based peacebuilding initiatives to ensure sustainable coexistence between different ethnic and religious groups.
The statement concluded by reaffirming the administration’s primary duty: the protection of all Nigerians, regardless of faith or region.
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