ABUJA—The federal government responded measuredly on Friday to growing international concerns about religious freedoms in Nigeria. It maintained its commitment to protecting all faith groups while challenging what officials characterized as incomplete narratives emerging from recent U.S. congressional testimony.
The carefully crafted statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs followed controversial appearances by two Nigerian clergy members before American lawmakers last month.
Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of Makurdi Diocese and Reverend Father Remigius Ihyula gave detailed cases of faith-based violence during a hearing on global religious persecution, prompting questions about Nigeria’s handling of sectarian tensions.
Acting spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa emphasized Nigeria’s constitutional protections for religious expression while criticizing what he called “an oversimplification of complex security challenges.”
The statement acknowledged isolated incidents of faith-based violence but stressed that these occur within a broader security crisis affecting all Nigerians regardless of creed.
Multiple sources within the foreign ministry confirmed the response underwent unusual levels of review, with input from security and diplomatic officials.
A senior aide, speaking anonymously, revealed that the drafting process lasted three nights as officials balanced the need to address international concerns against domestic sensitivities about foreign interference.
Security analysts note the government’s response reflects growing frustration in Abuja about what many see as a disproportionate international focus on Christian persecution. At the same time, violence against Muslim communities receives less attention.
Recent budget allocations show N2.3 billion dedicated to interfaith peacebuilding initiatives this fiscal year, alongside expanded military deployments in conflict zones across the Middle Belt and northeast regions.
Religious leaders offered mixed reactions to the government’s statement. A prominent Abuja-based cleric, Reverend Joseph Abba, told our correspondent that while he welcomed the assurances, “many congregations still feel unprotected in volatile regions.”
His Muslim counterpart, Imam Yusuf Bello, cautioned that “international discussions often overlook attacks on our mosques and Islamic schools.”
The diplomatic exchange comes at a delicate moment for U.S.-Nigeria relations, with both nations maintaining close security cooperation against regional terrorist groups even as human rights concerns persist.
Embassy officials in Abuja declined to comment on the record about Nigeria’s response, though sources indicate private discussions continue behind closed doors.
As evening fell on the capital Friday, the contrasting narratives highlighted the challenge facing Africa’s most populous nation – convincing international partners of its commitment to religious harmony while battling multiple security threats that frequently intersect with ethnic and sectarian tensions.
For now, the government’s message remains clear: Nigeria will defend its record while continuing to address complex security challenges on multiple fronts.
Reported by M10News— For more updates, visit https://m10news.com.
