The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed that Nigeria remains a safe country despite its lingering security challenges.
Idris made this known during an interview with CNN, where he dismissed reports suggesting genocidal attacks against Christians, describing such claims as exaggerated and misleading.
According to the Minister, both Christians and Muslims have suffered attacks in recent years, stressing that portraying Nigeria as intolerant of religious freedom is inaccurate.
“Nigeria is not that bad. Yes, we have seen attacks on some Christians, and we have also seen attacks on Muslims as well,” he said. “But it’s wrong to characterise Nigeria as a country that does not tolerate religious freedom.”
Idris maintained that although certain parts of the country have witnessed violent incidents, the overall security situation has improved considerably compared to previous years.
“It’s also wrong to say everywhere is not safe in Nigeria. Nigeria is indeed a safe country, but we do recognise that we have security challenges in the Northeast,” he noted.
The Minister recalled how Boko Haram insurgents once controlled several territories in the Northeast, but such areas have since been reclaimed through sustained military operations.
“Once upon a time, some of the territories in the Northeast were taken over by Boko Haram, but that is no longer the case. They were holding about 14 local governments at a time, but that is no longer the case,” Idris explained.
He added that the government has made significant strides in restoring normalcy, allowing citizens to travel and conduct business without fear.
“Travelling around the country was a problem at some point, but that is no longer the case. The government of Nigeria is working hard to ensure the protection of lives and property,” he said.
Idris also faulted some foreign reports, particularly from U.S. officials, accusing them of relying on “faulty data” to assess Nigeria’s security situation.
The Minister reiterated that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains committed to tackling insecurity and fostering unity among Nigeria’s diverse religious communities.
