The Federal Government has rejected the recent re-designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” by the United States over alleged violations of religious freedom, describing the claim as “misinformed, unfair, and inconsistent with the realities on the ground.”
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known on Wednesday at a press conference in Abuja, held in response to the US government’s designation and comments attributed to President Donald Trump threatening possible military intervention.
Idris said Nigeria’s security challenges, which date back to the Boko Haram insurgency of 2009, affect both Christians and Muslims alike and should not be mischaracterised as religious persecution.
“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 said.
“The menace of terrorism in Nigeria does not exclusively target any religious or ethnic group. Extremism is mindless, blind to religion, tribe, or class. It is a war against all peace-loving Nigerians.”
He emphasised that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remained determined to eliminate terrorism and restore national peace, noting that security forces have made major gains in recent months.
According to the Minister, since May 2023, security agencies have neutralised over 13,500 terrorists, arrested 17,000 suspects, and rescued more than 9,800 abducted victims, including women and children.
He added that more than 124,000 insurgents and their families have surrendered, handing over 11,000 weapons to Nigerian forces.
Idris said the government has also dismantled over 20 gun-running networks and destroyed more than 5,000 military-grade rifles recovered from criminal groups.
He highlighted that the fight against terrorism was part of a broader regional crisis fuelled by instability in the Sahel region and the collapse of Libya, which flooded the region with illegal weapons and extremist groups.
“Nigeria continues to champion greater cooperation within ECOWAS, the African Union, and with our international partners — including the United States — to stabilize the Sahel and cut off transnational terrorism,” he said.
On judicial accountability, Idris disclosed that 125 terrorism suspects have so far been convicted, while hundreds of others remained under prosecution.
He cited ongoing trials linked to major attacks, including the June 2022 St. Francis Catholic Church massacre in Owo, Ondo State, and the June 2025 Yelwata killings in Benue State.
The Minister also confirmed that two high-profile Ansaru leaders, Mahmud Muhammad Usman and Abubakar Abba, were captured in a July counterterrorism operation, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s war against extremist networks.
“Our security agencies are diligent and professional in handling these cases, ensuring that every suspect is held accountable in accordance with the rule of law,” he said.
Idris urged the United States and other partners to approach Nigeria’s situation with “a full understanding of its complex realities as a vast, multi-ethnic, and multi-religious nation making significant progress in reform and security.”
He cited the existing cooperation between both countries, including the delivery of Super Tucano aircraft and ongoing procurement of AH-1Z Viper helicopters, as examples of constructive engagement that has strengthened Nigeria’s counterterrorism capacity.
“We believe that constructive engagement — not misjudgment — is the surest and most effective way to achieve peace and stability,” Idris said. “Nigeria welcomes dialogue and collaboration with all our partners, including the United States, in addressing our shared security concerns.”
The Minister reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to protecting the constitutional guarantees of religious freedom and citizens’ rights, assuring Nigerians that the country remains “in capable and steady hands.”
“President Tinubu is leading the charge to strengthen our military and intelligence capabilities, rebuild our economy, and uphold the unity and freedom of our people,” Idris stated.
“We will continue to engage all partners diplomatically and constructively to correct this misrepresentation and build a safer, stronger Nigeria.”
