Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said Tuesday that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is intensifying efforts to address the country’s persistent security challenges, aiming to ensure the safety and well-being of all Nigerians.
In an interview with CNN, Idris pushed back against claims by some foreign officials that extremist groups in Nigeria specifically target Christians. He called such assertions “misleading” and “not reflective of Nigeria’s complex security realities.”
“Some of the claims made by officials of the United States are based on faulty data and assumptions that the victims of this violence are largely Christians,” Idris said. “Yes, there are Christians being attacked, but these criminals do not just target one religion. They target Christians. They also target Muslims. We have seen that especially in the northern part of the country.”
He warned that those promoting such narratives risk deepening divisions in a country with a long history of religious coexistence. “Characterizing it as attacks on Christians will drive Nigeria towards division,” he said. “The criminals want to portray the country as if there is a fight between Christians and Muslims.”
The minister emphasized that Nigeria remains a tolerant nation that respects freedom of religion, enshrined in its constitution. He cautioned that framing the country’s violence in religious terms could “play into the hands of criminals whose objective is to incite conflict.”
While acknowledging ongoing insecurity — including insurgent violence, banditry, and kidnappings — Idris said the government is responding with a mix of military and non-military strategies.
“Yes, we have seen security challenges in Nigeria, but we also have to recognize that there is a massive drive by the government to ensure that Nigeria is ultimately safe for everyone,” he said.
According to Idris, the government has ramped up spending on military equipment and strengthened its security institutions, while also investing in agriculture and social services to address the root causes of instability.
“In the last two years, there has been renewed focus and renewed attention to ensure that Nigeria becomes safe,” he said. “Even the recent changes in service chiefs are geared towards strengthening our security architecture so that the government can respond effectively to every situation.”
He added that the Tinubu administration views peace and stability as essential to Nigeria’s economic growth and national cohesion.