Nigeria committed to religious tolerance, Minister Idris tells CNN
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed that Nigeria remains committed to religious tolerance and the protection of freedom of worship for all citizens.
Speaking during an interview on CNN on Tuesday night, Idris dismissed claims that the country violates religious freedoms or that terrorists specifically target Christians, describing such assertions as misleading and inaccurate.
He said the Tinubu administration is fully focused on addressing security challenges to guarantee the safety and well-being of all Nigerians.
“Some of the claims made by officials of the United States are based on faulty data and assumptions that the victims of violence are largely Christians. Yes, there are Christians being attacked, but these criminals also target Muslims, especially in the northern part of the country,” Idris said.
The Minister warned that promoting divisive narratives plays into the hands of criminals whose aim is to incite conflict between Christians and Muslims, stressing that Nigeria remains a tolerant and inclusive nation.
“Characterizing it as attacks on Christians will drive Nigeria towards division. The criminals want to portray the country as if there is a fight between Christians and Muslims. We have seen attacks on both Christians and Muslims, but Nigeria remains a safe country,” he said.
Idris acknowledged that security challenges persist but emphasized that the government is responding decisively through renewed efforts to strengthen national security and protect every citizen.
He added that the administration is also investing in non-kinetic measures, including agriculture and social services, to promote stability and long-term peace across the country.
