The Federal Government has appealed to United States President Donald Trump to approach Nigeria’s security situation with “understanding and context,” following his recent comments accusing the Nigerian authorities of overseeing a genocide against Christians.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, urged Washington to consider Nigeria’s diversity and ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability.
“We call on our American friends and partners to approach the Nigerian situation with an understanding of its complex realities,” Idris said.
“Nigeria is a vast, multi-ethnic, multi-religious nation making significant strides in economic reforms and in strengthening its security architecture.
We believe constructive engagement is the most effective way to achieve peace and stability, not only in Nigeria, but anywhere in the world.”
The minister added that Nigeria remains open to dialogue, partnership, and support from the United States and other allies in confronting shared global security concerns.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to combating insecurity, Idris said the administration of President Bola Tinubu has made measurable progress against terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.
He cited a recent Global Terrorism Index report showing that terrorist attacks in Nigeria had fallen to their lowest level in over a decade.
“This is not Nigeria saying it; the international community has confirmed it,” he noted.
“In the last eight months alone, our military neutralised over 592 terrorists in Borno State, freed more than 11,200 hostages, and secured the surrender of 124 insurgents who handed over over 11,000 weapons.”
Idris said the Federal Government has invested millions of dollars in modern security equipment and expanded military operations nationwide.
He praised President Tinubu for increasing defence spending and showing “the political will to defeat terrorism and restore national peace.”
Highlighting progress in the North-West, the minister revealed that sustained air and ground offensives have led to the death or surrender of several notorious bandit leaders, including Ali Kachalla, Boderi, and Halilu Sububu.
“In Zamfara and Kaduna alone, 11,250 hostages have been rescued. Only this August, over 400 armed bandits were intercepted and killed while attempting to attack a community in Zamfara,” Idris said.
Trump had, on Friday, described the killing of Christians in Nigeria as a “mass slaughter,” claiming the faith was facing an “existential threat.”
“Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” Trump said in a statement.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening.”
He directed Congressman Riley Moore and House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole to investigate the matter, declaring Nigeria a “country of particular concern.”
“When Christians, or any such group, are slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria, something must be done,” Trump added.
“We stand ready, willing, and able to save our great Christian population around the world.”
The Nigerian government, however, insists that the security situation is improving and warns that inflammatory rhetoric could undermine international cooperation in addressing terrorism and religiously motivated violence.
