The Federal Government has responded to a post from the United States Embassy in Abuja that questioned Nigeria’s security situation and the testimony of religious leaders at a U.S. Congressional hearing.
The government called the claims misleading and inaccurate, stating that they misrepresented Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to address security challenges.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, issued a statement rejecting the U.S. Embassy’s portrayal of the situation.
The post had referenced testimonies by Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and Rev. Fr. Remigius Ihyula, who discussed alleged threats stemming from their statements about religious persecution in Nigeria.
The ministry stated that while these religious leaders are entitled to their views, their testimonies simplified the complexity of the issues Nigeria faces and did not fully capture the government’s actions to address these challenges.
The government emphasized that it has been proactive in tackling security threats, including deploying forces to regions affected by violence, facilitating peace-building efforts between farmers and herders, enhancing intelligence operations to target criminals, and implementing policies aimed at addressing the root causes of insecurity.
The statement pointed out that Nigeria is dealing with a range of security issues such as terrorism, banditry, and organized crime, which affect communities across religious lines.
The Ministry also rejected the description of the crisis as an attempt to exterminate Christians and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of all its citizens, regardless of their religion or ethnicity.
The government assured that any threats or intimidation towards religious leaders would be investigated, and necessary action would be taken.
It called for more responsible reporting that acknowledges the full scope of the security challenges and fosters constructive discussions.
In conclusion, the Ministry urged a fair representation of the situation, promoting understanding and cooperation rather than deepening divisions.
Leave a Reply