President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has again dismissed claims that there is a Christian genocide in Nigeria, insisting that neither Christians nor Muslims are being deliberately targeted for killing.
The President said the insecurity taking place in the country is rooted in historical, economic and criminal factors, not religious persecution.
Tinubu spoke on Friday in Abuja while declaring open the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT) 8th Biennial Conference and Annual General Meeting, themed “Building Resilience in a Changing World: The Role of Faith and Community.”
The President, who was represented at the event by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said Nigeria is battling terrorism driven by criminality and extremism.
“These allegations are not only false but harmful, and capable of inflaming passions and disrupting the peaceful coexistence we continue to build as a nation.
“Nigeria’s response was clear, firm and measured. We reaffirmed that our nation does not foster or tolerate policies or actions aimed at persecuting any religious group. Muslims and Christians alike have been victims of terrorism in Nigeria. Muslims and Christians alike stand shoulder to shoulder in condemning violence from any quarter, the President said.”
“As President, I reiterate with all sense of responsibility and fidelity to the Constitution that there is no Christian genocide in Nigeria, and there is no Muslim genocide in Nigeria. What we have is terrorism driven by criminality and extremism challenges we are working tirelessly to overcome,” he added.
Few weeks ago, United States President Donald Trump claimed that Christians were being targeted for killing in Nigeria and threatened to deploy US military forces if the Federal Government failed to address the situation.
Trump also designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” insisting that Christians were being persecuted while the Federal Government allegedly looked the other way.
Tinubu said the Federal Government would continue to promote national unity, religious freedom and the security of every human life.