Nigeria Rejects U.S. Claims on Christian Persecution

The Federal Government of Nigeria has rejected claims made by the U.S. Congress regarding the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Minister Idris maintained that the security challenges facing the country are not rooted in religious bias. This response follows a report from the U.S.

House Committee on Appropriations, which outlined findings and recommendations concerning alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The report was submitted after President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a country of particular concern.

Congressman Rilei Moor, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, and Tom Cole were involved in leading the investigation into the persecution of Christian communities, which they linked to broader security challenges in Nigeria. The Nigerian government emphasized that its constitution guarantees freedom of religion and worship and highlighted ongoing efforts to improve humanitarian responses for internally displaced persons, facilitating safe returns for affected communities and promoting peacebuilding initiatives.