FG Says Extremists Want to Divide Nigeria with Genocide Claims

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• President unshaken, committed to clarifying country’s position

People who have been advancing the Christian genocide claim in Nigeria, triggering the prevailing stand of the US president with a threat to intervene militarily and route out terrorists, want to divide the country along religious line, the federal government said.

However, the government said that President Bola Tinubu has remained unshaken and is focused on engaging international partners to clarify Nigeria’s position and ongoing security.

Disclosing this, the Nigerian government on Tuesday accused religious extremists of fuelling false claims of genocide against Christians in Nigeria, warning that such narratives are designed to divide the country along religious lines.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the remarks while addressing State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Idris dismissed reports alleging persecution of Christians, insisting that there is no evidence of genocide in Nigeria. He said those behind the claims were extremists seeking to destabilise the nation.

“These extremists want to divide Nigeria, but now is the time for unity and nation-building, not division,” Idris said.

“President Tinubu is calm and committed to resolving these issues responsibly.”

The Minister’s comments come amid growing international backlash following a controversial statement by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently threatened to “send troops to Nigeria” over alleged religious killings.

According to Idris, President Tinubu has remained unshaken and is focused on engaging international partners to clarify Nigeria’s position and ongoing security efforts.

“President Tinubu will continue to engage not only with the U.S. but with regional and continental bodies, as well as all inter- national partners who have a role in supporting Nigeria to overcome criminal elements spreading false narratives that damage the country’s reputation,” he said.