KEY POINTS

• The Nigerian government does not accept how the United States Embassy describes the current security conditions in the country.
• The government maintains a quick response to multiple security threats throughout the country.
• Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to religious freedom and citizen protection.

The Nigerian government officially condemned a latest United States Embassy in Abuja social media post about security conditions in Nigeria while refuting testimonies from religious figures at a U.S. Congressional hearing.

Government response to U.S. Embassy claims

The Nigerian government officially refused statements from the United States Embassy in Abuja about national security conditions.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa issued a statement that criticized the U.S. Embassy’s publication because of the declarations presented by Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and Rev. Fr. Remigius Ihyula.

The religious leaders Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and Rev. Fr. Remigius Ihyula attested regarding intimidation experiences after their religious persecution statements in Nigeria.

The religious leaders retain full rights to express themselves yet their simple explanations of this complicated national issue lacked accuracy according to the statement.

The administration dismissed allegations about uncontrolled violence by refuting the claim that Nigerians allowed security issues to spread by emphasizing their deployment of security forces and peace-building operations and strengthened intelligence capabilities.

FG rejects claims, affirms commitment to national security and freedom of religion

Multiple threats such as banditry along with terrorism and organized crime endanger various Nigerian communities according to the Ministry. The government maintained its promise to defend freedom principles including religious beliefs and expression as well as announced plans to investigate reports of danger to religious leaders.

The statement denied that the crisis represented an “Islamist extermination” of Christians because Nigeria actively defends all its citizens without religious or ethnic discrimination. The statement promoted media outlets to present comprehensive security reports while promoting useful discussions, FG rejects all the claims.