Abuja: The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared that all religious and ethnic groups in the country have been targets and victims of terrorism. This assertion was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, during a news conference held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Idris emphasized the Nigerian government and its citizens’ awareness of the U.S. government’s stance on alleged violations of religious freedom. He stated, “Nigeria faces longstanding security challenges that have impacted Christians and Muslims alike, and we mourn every loss of life, knowing that even a single loss of life is one too many.”
The Minister highlighted the efforts of President Bola Tinubu in addressing these security challenges since assuming office in May 2023. He noted, “Nigeria’s security agencies have neutralized more than 13,500 terrorists through sustained operations and arrested over 17,000 suspects, who are now undergoing interrogation or prosecution for various offenses.” Additionally, more than 9,800 victims, including women and children abducted by terrorist elements, have been rescued and reintegrated.
Idris stressed that terrorism in Nigeria does not exclusively target any religious or ethnic group, stating that extremism is “mindless, blind to religion, tribe, or class,” and poses a threat to all peace-loving Nigerians and the nation’s unity and progress.
The Minister also addressed narratives suggesting the Nigerian state is failing to act against religious attacks, attributing such views to misinformation or faulty data. He pointed out that both Christians and Muslims are working together within Nigeria’s Armed Forces and intelligence agencies to combat extremism and criminal activities.
He further explained that Nigeria’s security challenges are intertwined with regional issues, particularly the instability in the Sahel region and the collapse of Libya, which have contributed to the influx of terrorist elements and illegal weapons. This regional dimension highlights Nigeria’s commitment to greater cooperation with ECOWAS, the African Union, and international partners, including the United States.
Idris also mentioned socio-economic factors exacerbating conflicts, particularly in the North-Central regions like Plateau and Benue, where farmers-herders clashes are intensified by climate change and desertification. He noted the recent changes in Service Chiefs and the realignment within the Armed Forces as part of President Tinubu’s strategy to reinvigorate Nigeria’s security framework.
The Minister concluded by underscoring the mission to deliver better results, enhance coordination among services, and eradicate terrorism and violent crime across Nigeria.