For the umpteenth time, the federal government Wednesday said allegations of genocide against the Nigerian Christians made by the United States of America lacked basis.
It said this was borne out of the American government’s wrong understanding of security challenges in the country.
However, the government said it was willing to work with all stakeholders including the United States of America, to address Nigeria’s security challenges.
“Nigeria welcomes dialogue, collaboration, and support from foreign nations. But our security challenge must not be interpreted through a narrow or inaccurate religious lens,” Idris said.
“The Government of Nigeria remains open and willing to work closely with the Government of the United States, other friendly nations and partners, to achieve our shared goal — the complete elimination of terrorism on Nigerian soil.
“We believe that constructive engagement is the surest and most effective way to achieve peace and stability. Nigeria welcomes dialogue, cooperation, and support from foreign nations, including the United States of America in addressing our shared security concerns,” it said.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, stated this during a world press conference in Abuja.
According to him, the influx of illegal arms from the Sahel, the fallout of the Libyan crisis, climate change, and farmer–herder conflicts, all combined to complicate Nigeria’s security challenges, adding that such must be understood within a broader context.
He said: “It is important to restate that the menace of terrorism in Nigeria does not exclusively target any religious or ethnic group. As in many parts of the world, extremism is mindless, blind to religion, tribe, or class. It is a war against all peace-loving Nigerians and against the unity and progress of our great nation.
“Therefore, any narrative suggesting that the Nigerian State is failing to take action against religious attacks is based on misinformation or faulty data. Several leading personnel of the very dedicated Armed Forces of Nigeria and the country’s intelligence agencies are Christians, working and succeeding alongside their Muslim colleagues in the fight against extremists and criminals waging war against our country and values.”
…Global Terrorism Index
Citing a report by the Global Terrorism Index (DTI), Idris said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has recorded giant strides in the fight against insecurity and other violent crimes.
He said: “The recent change in Service Chiefs and the subsequent realignment within the Armed Forces and security agencies reflect President Tinubu’s determination to reinvigorate Nigeria’s security architecture. This strategic overhaul is designed to infuse fresh energy, innovation, and accountability into our national defence and intelligence systems.
“The mission is to deliver better results, strengthen coordination among the services, and stamp out terrorism and violent crime in every part of Nigeria. The President’s directive is unequivocal — that every inch of Nigerian territory must be secured, and every citizen must live free from fear.
“Our military and other security agencies are winning the war on terrorism and the results in the past years and most especially in the last two years of President Tinubu’s leadership, are real and remarkable.
“We have made stringent efforts in curtailing access to small arms and light weapons by non-state actors. Security agencies recovered and destroyed over 5,000 military-grade rifles and intercepted over 20 gun-running networks in the past months.
“The administration has made multi-million-dollar investments in modernised equipment for our security agencies and has increased the defence and security budget. The President has always given the military his absolute support, and I assure you that there is the political will to remove the last vestiges of this menace from our country.”
He further said, in the past two years, “significant progress has been made in the war against terrorism across the North-West, North-East and South-East, North-Central, and other parts of the country. Within this period, the number of terrorism-related attacks has plummeted. In March, a report by the Global Terrorism Index indicated that terrorist attacks were at their lowest in over a decade in Nigeria.”
…Data on military’s successes
The minister also highlighted the achievements of the military under the Tinubu-led government.
According to him, in the past eight months, the Nigerian military neutralised over 592 terrorists in Borno state alone, and over 13,500 terrorists and armed criminals neutralised.
“More than 17,000 arrests made. Over 11,200 hostages freed. More importantly, over 124,000 insurgents and their families surrendered, handing over more than 11,000 weapons.
“In the North-West, especially Zamfara and Kaduna, 11,250 hostages have been freed, and some of the terror leaders —Ali Kachala, Boderi, Halilu Sububu — have been neutralized. In August, the military intercepted and killed, in one fell swoop, over 400 armed bandits who had converged to attack a village in Zamfara,” he said.
…South east
Speaking further, Idris said terror attacks in the South-east were also reduced by almost 80% through the joint effort of security agencies.
According to him, in the North-Central, many of these criminal elements have been neutralised, and many arrests made.
…On terrorism
The minister also refuted allegations that the federal government lacked the political will to prosecute terrorism suspects.
He said: “Two terrorism suspects, Mahmud Muhammad Usman and Abubakar Abba, who are wanted internationally, are currently undergoing prosecution. The two, who are believed to be leaders of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, commonly known as ANSARU, Nigeria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate, were captured in a high-risk, intelligence-led, counter-terrorism operation in July.
“Their arrest marked a turning point in our ongoing operations against terrorism.
“Usman, the self-styled Emir of ANSARU, allegedly coordinated various terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria. He is also believed to have masterminded several high-profile kidnappings and robberies, the proceeds of which were used to finance terrorism over the years.
“Abba, Usman’s chief of staff and deputy, is alleged to have led the so-called “Mahmudawa” cell, which operated around the Kainji National Park, located on the border between the states of Niger and Kwara, as well as the Republic of Benin.”
Reeling out further data, the minister said: “Another terror suspect, Khalid Al‑Barnawi, accused of being the mastermind of the August 26, 2011, bombing of the United Nations Complex in Abuja, in which 20 people were killed and more than 70 others injured, is also facing prosecution. Captured in 2016, Al Barnawi is facing trial along with four other terror suspects – Mohammed Bashir Saleh, Umar Mohammed Bello aka Datti, Mohammed Salisu, and Yakubu Nuhu aka Bello Maishayi.”
He also said on August 11, five terror suspects were arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022 attack at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo state.
“Also undergoing trial are the suspects arrested in connection with the Yelwata massacre in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State on June 13, 2025, where dozens of people were killed and 107 were injured drew worldwide condemnation.
“On June 24, 2025, 26 suspects in connection with the massacre were arrested. In August 2025, terrorism-related charges were filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja against the suspects.
“There are hundreds of other suspects under the military’s protective custody, whose cases are being handled by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation. So far, 125 of the terrorists have been convicted. The various arrests and trials of terrorism suspects showed that Nigeria’s security agencies have been diligent in dealing with the perpetrators of terror in the country,” he said.
…The allegation
US President Donald Trump, had via a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, declared that he had directed the “Department of War” to prepare for “possible action” if the alleged genocide against the Nigerian Christians remained unabated.
It also threatened to suspend aid to Nigeria if the alleged crime persisted.
