Tinubu Dismisses Claims of Religious Genocide in Nigeria
President Bola Tinubu has dismissed claims that Christians or Muslims are facing genocide in Nigeria, insisting that security challenges are criminal, not religiously motivated.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has rejected claims that Nigeria is witnessing genocide against Christians or Muslims, insisting that the country’s security challenges are not driven by religious motives.
The president made the clarification while responding to concerns raised by local and international observers regarding alleged targeted killings based on faith. According to him, criminal activities across the country are largely motivated by banditry, terrorism, and economic crimes rather than religious persecution.
Tinubu stressed that Nigeria remains a multi-religious society where citizens of different faiths have coexisted for decades. He warned against narratives that could deepen division or misrepresent the nature of the country’s security challenges.
He explained that while the nation continues to battle insecurity in various regions, the government does not recognize the violence as a coordinated campaign aimed at exterminating any religious group. Instead, he described the situation as a complex security problem involving criminal networks exploiting weak institutions and economic hardship.
The president reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting all Nigerians regardless of religion or ethnicity. He said security agencies have been directed to intensify operations against criminals and ensure that communities are safeguarded without bias.
Tinubu also called on political and religious leaders to exercise restraint in their public statements, urging them to promote unity and national cohesion rather than inflame tensions with unverified claims.
His comments come amid heightened debates both locally and internationally over Nigeria’s security situation, particularly in parts of the North and Middle Belt.
The federal government maintains that addressing insecurity requires collaboration between security agencies, community leaders, and international partners, while avoiding narratives that could further polarize the country.
