The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated that the nation’s ongoing security challenges are not rooted in religion, countering claims that the crisis is a targeted campaign against any faith group. According to government officials, the insecurity affecting various parts of the country is driven mainly by terrorism, banditry, and criminal activity rather than religious persecution.
Government Clarifies Its Position
During a recent meeting with a visiting U.S. congressional delegation in Abuja, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), emphasized that while Nigeria continues to confront serious threats, these challenges should not be mischaracterized as religious conflict. He explained that federal authorities are consistently prosecuting terrorism-related cases, with hundreds of convictions recorded over the past several years.
Fagbemi noted that both Muslims and Christians have been victims of attacks by insurgent groups, criminal gangs, and other violent actors. The government maintains that framing the crisis as religious only distorts the reality and risks deepening national divisions.
Response to International Misconceptions
The FG’s statement comes amid increasing international commentary suggesting that Nigeria is witnessing large-scale religious persecution. Officials reject such narratives, stressing that they overlook the complex socio-economic and political factors fueling violence across the country.
Other government representatives, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, have warned that mislabeling the crisis as religious persecution undermines ongoing security operations and may complicate cooperation with global partners.
Even international faith leaders have acknowledged that in Nigeria, violence often affects communities across religious lines, with both Christians and Muslims bearing the brunt of attacks.
A Multifaceted Security Crisis
Nigeria’s insecurity stems from several interconnected issues, including:
- Terrorism and extremist activity by groups operating in the Northeast and other regions
- Widespread banditry and kidnappings in the Northwest and North-Central
- Farmer–herder conflicts tied to land use, climate pressures, and economic struggles
- Organised crime networks exploiting poverty and weak local governance
Although religious identity may intersect with local tensions, the government insists that religion is not the primary driver of the country’s instability.
Conclusion
By reaffirming that insecurity in Nigeria is not religiously motivated, the Federal Government aims to prevent the spread of divisive narratives and encourage a more accurate understanding of the situation. Officials continue to call for unity among citizens and stronger collaboration both within and outside Nigeria to address the root causes of the violence.
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