The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said that Nigeria remains a safe country despite facing pockets of insecurity across different parts of the nation.
Idris stated this during an interview with CNN while reacting to claims that Christians in Nigeria are facing genocidal attacks. He maintained that such claims do not reflect the true situation on the ground, insisting that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of attacks by criminal elements.
According to the minister, it is unfair to describe Nigeria as a country that does not respect religious freedom. “Nigeria is not that bad. Yes, we have seen attacks on some Christians; we have also seen attacks on Muslims as well. But it’s wrong to characterize Nigeria as a country that does not tolerate religious freedom,” Idris said.
He acknowledged that the country has faced serious security challenges, especially in the North-East region where Boko Haram insurgents once held several territories, but noted that the situation has greatly improved under the current administration.
“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.
The minister added that movement across the country has become safer compared to previous years. “Traveling 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 and to ensure that people go about their businesses,” he said.
Idris also dismissed reports from some foreign officials, particularly in the United States, describing them as exaggerated and based on incorrect information. “Some of the claims made by some officials in the U.S. are based on faulty data,” he added.
In recent years, Nigeria has battled multiple security threats including banditry, kidnapping, herder–farmer clashes, and insurgency in different regions. These issues have drawn international concern and sometimes prompted criticism from human rights groups and foreign governments.
However, the federal government has continued to assure Nigerians and the global community of its commitment to restoring peace and ensuring that all citizens, regardless of religion or ethnicity, are protected.
The Information Minister’s remarks come at a time when security remains a major concern for many Nigerians, especially in rural areas affected by attacks. His statement appears aimed at correcting what he described as “misleading reports” that portray Nigeria as unsafe and deeply divided along religious lines.
