The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rejected allegations of targeted killings of Christians, asserting that violence is mainly due to criminality, not religious bias. This response comes after the U.S. Congress proposed sanctions against Nigeria based on reports of widespread religious violence. The Nigerian government emphasizes its commitment to protecting all citizens and combating security threats, calling for accuracy in international reporting.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria has asserted its rejection of allegations regarding the targeted killings of Christians within the country. It delineated these reports as a misleading initiative aimed at persuading foreign nations to classify Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” because of violence against Christians. This response was articulated by Acting Spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, emphasizing a strong disagreement with the narrative presented by external parties.
Reports indicate that the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa has sanctioned President Donald Trump to impose punitive measures on Nigeria due to claims of widespread violence against Christians. This decision arose following a congressional hearing where concerns were voiced about the Nigerian government’s purported inability to protect Christian communities amidst increasing hostilities.
The contention highlights a report from the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, identifying that Nigeria is responsible for 90% of global Christian fatalities each year. Furthermore, during the timeframe from October 2019 to September 2023, terrorist groups reportedly killed over 55,000 individuals and abducted an additional 21,000.
The Ministry acknowledged the country’s ongoing security issues but clarified that the underlying causes are not based on religious intolerance. It attributed the primary sources of violence in the predominantly Muslim northern areas to criminal activities, insurgency, and banditry, thereby denying any religious motivating factor in such incidents.
“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,” stated the Ministry, emphasizing the intent to influence foreign governmental positions erroneously.
The government affirmed its commitment to protecting all citizens, irrespective of their religious affiliation. It stressed that Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious nation and highlighted the efforts made to mitigate security threats, which include military actions against insurgents and addressing communal clashes.
Significant measures have been articulated under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration aimed at enhancing security, including operational deployments and community initiatives. The military has reportedly achieved notable progress in diminishing the activities of insurgents and bandits.
The Ministry has called for the international community to ascertain the validity of information before forming conclusions that could potentially escalate tensions. It urged media outlets and civil society organizations to refrain from disseminating unverified assertions in order to maintain national stability.
In conclusion, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its dedication to fostering religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, inviting international collaboration to address Nigeria’s security challenges. “Nigeria remains a beacon of religious tolerance and coexistence in Africa and is committed to preserving this heritage,” it stated, resolutely countering any misrepresentation that could sow division among its populace.
In summary, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly refuted claims of targeted killings of Christians, emphasizing that such reports are part of a misleading campaign. The government highlighted that the violence in Nigeria primarily stems from criminal activities rather than religious persecution and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting all citizens while seeking international collaboration to effectively address security challenges. The Ministry urged caution in the dissemination of information to avoid exacerbating tensions within the country.
Original Source: punchng.com
