By Abiola Olawale
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FG) has denied allegations of a systematic genocide against Christians in the country.
This is as the government criticised US comedian and political commentator Bill Maher for amplifying what it described as “false and divisive” narratives.
The controversy erupted after Maher claimed that: “I’m not a Christian, but they are systematically killing the Christians in Nigeria.”
He cited figures from advocacy groups, claiming over 100,000 Christians killed since 2009 and 18,000 churches burned.
However, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in a statement issued on Sunday, September 28, condemned Maher’s remarks.
Idris described the claims as “false, baseless, despicable, and divisive,” insisting that they misrepresent the country’s complex security challenges.
The Minister continued: “The violent activities of terrorist groups are not confined to any religious or ethnic community. Muslims, Christians, and even those who do not identify with any faith have suffered at their hands.”
Highlighting recent gains in the war against terrorism, the Minister revealed that between May 2023 and February 2025, over 13,500 terrorists and criminals were neutralized, while nearly 10,000 hostages were rescued during military operations nationwide. He also confirmed that the top leadership of ANSARU, Nigeria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate, was captured last month in a coordinated counter-terrorism operation.
“These feats expose as unfounded the notion that Nigeria is passively tolerating religiously motivated terrorism,” the Minister added.
Idris reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to safeguarding all citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity, and to ensuring justice through continued prosecutions of Boko Haram and other terrorist suspects.
“The Nigerian story is not one of religious genocide or persecution, but of resilience, diversity, and peaceful coexistence,” Idris stressed.
