The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has fired back at recent testimonies delivered by two prominent Nigerian Christian clerics before the United States Congress, accusing them of distorting the realities of Nigeria’s religious and security landscape. The government also criticised the U.S. Embassy in Abuja for a social media publication it said further amplified misleading narratives.
In a strongly worded statement released on Friday and signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian government expressed “serious concern” over the testimonies delivered by Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and Reverend Father Remigius Ihyula during a U.S. Congressional hearing on religious persecution in Nigeria.
The clerics had painted a grim picture of religious violence in the country, suggesting that Christian communities, particularly in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, are under siege with little or no government protection.
Reacting to the testimonies, the Ministry said, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs observes with concern a recent social media publication by the United States Embassy, Abuja, regarding the security situation in Nigeria and the testimonies provided by Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and Rev. Fr. Remigius Ihyula, on the unfortunate alleged threats that have arisen as a result of their testimonies at the U.S. Congressional Hearing on Religious Persecution in Nigeria.”
While reaffirming the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens—including religious leaders—to voice their opinions, the Ministry insisted that the testimonies were not only “misrepresentative” but also dangerously simplistic, failing to grasp the multifaceted nature of Nigeria’s security crisis.
“Though their testimonies misrepresent facts and oversimplify a deeply complex national challenge, the religious leaders are entitled to their opinions, freedom of expression, and association as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution,” the Ministry stated.
The government took particular issue with claims that it had turned a blind eye to religious violence, describing such assertions as “inaccurate, unfair, and unhelpful.”
“The Nigerian government has consistently taken decisive actions—ranging from the deployment of security forces to hotspots, to peacebuilding efforts between farming and herding communities, to improved intelligence operations. These initiatives are aimed at dismantling criminal networks and addressing root causes of violence, including land use conflicts and poverty.”
The Ministry stressed that insecurity in Nigeria cuts across religious and ethnic lines and should not be reduced to a singular narrative of religious persecution. It said that Nigeria faces a complex web of threats, including terrorism, banditry, and organised crime—all of which afflict communities irrespective of religious affiliation.
In a firm rebuttal to the depiction of violence as an “Islamist extermination” of Christians, the government rejected what it called a “divisive and alarmist narrative” that risks fuelling further tension.
“The government will continue to prioritise the protection of all Nigerians—regardless of faith or ethnicity—while strengthening national and international partnerships in the ongoing fight against insecurity,” the Ministry added.
The statement concluded with a call for responsible and nuanced reporting on Nigeria’s challenges, encouraging stakeholders to seek constructive engagement rather than deepen existing fault lines.
“We urge all partners, both domestic and international, to engage in dialogue that reflects the full complexity of Nigeria’s security and religious dynamics, and to refrain from sensationalism that undermines peace-building efforts.”
PIONEER NEWS 