FG: Terrorism is war against all Nigerians, not on any religious group

The Federal Government has described terrorism in Nigeria as a war against all citizens and the progress of the country.

The government stressed that terrorism was not exclusively targeted at any religious or ethnic group in Nigeria.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said this at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.

The press conference was held in response to United States President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Concern”.

Idris stated: “It is important to restate that the menace of terrorism in Nigeria does not exclusively target any religious or ethnic group. It is a war against all peace-loving Nigerians and against the unity and progress of our great nation.

“Therefore, any narrative suggesting that the Nigerian State is failing to take action against religious attacks is based on misinformation or faulty data.

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“Several leading personnel of the very dedicated Armed Forces of Nigeria and the country’s intelligence agencies are Christians, working and succeeding alongside their Muslim colleagues in the fight against extremists and criminals waging war against our country and values.”

Idris said Nigeria has been facing security challenges that have impacted Christians and Muslims, noting that President Bola Tinubu is determined to confront and end the various challenges bewildering the country.

The minister disclosed that since Tinubu assumed office in 2023, security agencies have neutralised more than 13,500 terrorists through sustained operations and arrested over 17,000 suspects, who he said are now undergoing interrogation or prosecution for various offences.

Idris added that over 9,800 victims abducted by terrorists, including women and children, have been rescued and reintegrated.

Idris said: “Therefore, any narrative suggesting that the Nigerian State is failing to take action against religious attacks is based on misinformation or faulty data.

“Several leading personnel of the very dedicated Armed Forces of Nigeria and the country’s intelligence agencies are Christians, working and succeeding alongside their Muslim colleagues in the fight against extremists and criminals waging war against our country and values.”

The minister added that the federal government remains open and willing to work closely with the United States Government and other friendly nations, “to achieve our shared goal — the complete elimination of terrorism on Nigerian soil.”

The Star