By Zainab Rauf The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria has expressed serious concerns over a growing wave of misinformation a...
By Zainab Rauf
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria has expressed serious concerns over a growing wave of misinformation and misleading reports about alleged targeted killings of Christians in the country.
These claims, according to the Ministry, are being used to pressure foreign governments, particularly the United States, to classify Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC) due to violence against Christians.
While acknowledging the ongoing security challenges within the country, the Federal Government emphasized that these violent acts are not motivated by religious animosity or directed at any specific religious group.
The Ministry stressed that most incidents involving insurgency and banditry, particularly in northern Nigeria, a region predominantly Muslim, are not religiously targeted.
Any suggestion that these incidents are rooted in religious persecution, the Ministry clarified, is misleading and incorrect.
The Federal Government's clarification was contained in a statement by the Acting Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, on Friday, March 14.
The statement reads in part: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to express strong concern over the recent wave of misinformation and misleading reports regarding the supposed targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria. The unfortunate development is intended to influence foreign governments, especially the United States Government, to designate Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), due to the violence against Christians.
"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. It should be noted that the majority of incidents relating to insurgency and banditry that occur in the predominantly Muslim northern part of Nigeria are not targeted at followers of a particular faith or religion. Any narrative that seeks to give such incidents a coloration of religious persecution is erroneous and misleading.
"Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation and the government remains committed to protecting the lives and properties of all citizens, irrespective of faith, ethnicity, or gender. The security issues in Nigeria are complex and multifaceted and manifest as criminality, terrorism and communal clashes – including farmer/herder confrontation, that do not have any religious connotation.
"The government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has taken significant steps to address these security concerns, including the deployment of security forces, intelligence gathering and community engagement initiatives. Indeed, the military has recorded substantial gains in curtailing the activities of bandits and insurgents. To bring an end to such security challenges, both the Federal and State authorities have embarked on kinetic and non-kinetic methods and expedited the implementation of the national livestock plan.
"To this end, a Ministry of Livestock Development has been established while a Special Adviser and Coordinator of Livestock Reforms, has been appointed to find sustainable solutions to pastoral farming, with a view to end contestations over land, between farmers and pastoral herders.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, therefore, urges the international community to exercise caution and verify information before drawing conclusions or making statements that could exacerbate tensions within Nigeria."
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