Nigeria denounces a foreign campaign over an alleged “Christian genocide”

On Wednesday the Nigerian government denounced the interference of certain foreign lobbyists it accuses of promoting a false narrative of a “Christian genocide” in the country. At a press conference held in Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said authorities had evidence pointing to a network of external actors, mainly based in the United States, seeking to spread a biased and polarizing image of the security situation in Nigeria.

“ The Nigerian government has observed a correlation between the activities of certain lobbyists operating abroad, notably in the United States, and their local outlets here in Nigeria,” the minister said. While acknowledging that insecurity continues to affect many communities, Idris stressed that there is no evidence supporting the existence of systematic targeting based on religious affiliation. According to him, these media campaigns are aimed primarily at tarnishing Nigeria’s image on the international stage, even as the country continues its efforts to restore peace and strengthen national cohesion.

Last Friday, Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a country of particular concern because of the alleged persecution of Christians in the country. The American president, who believes a genocide is underway against followers of Christ, also threatened military action, saying that if the Nigerian government does not put an end to the massacre of Christians, the U.S. Department of War will not hesitate to intervene.