The Nigerian government has said the designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) by the United States of America was based on misreading the nation’s security realities and progress in tackling terrorism.
Speaking at a press conference in the Federal Capital Territory, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the classification and accompanying talk from the government of the US came from a wrong perception of Nigeria’s complex security landscape.
TMY Newspaper reports that the US recently designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) amid claims of “Christian Genocide” among a section of America’s political commentators. However, the Nigerian government and several other groups have dismissed the claim as erroneous, citing the complexity of Nigeria’s security crisis.
Mr Idris said the administration of President Bola Tinubu remained committed to ending terrorism and protecting the rights and freedoms of all Nigerians.
“The Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have taken note of the position of the Government of the United States of America on Nigeria over alleged violations of religious freedom,” Mr Idris said.
“Nigeria faces longstanding security challenges that have impacted Christians and Muslims alike, and we mourn every loss of life, knowing that even a single loss of life is one too many.”
Mr Idris said President Tinubu had demonstrated strong political will to end insecurity since assuming office in May 2023, citing major progress recorded by the armed forces and intelligence agencies.
According to him, security operations across the country had led to the neutralisation of more than 13,500 terrorists and the arrest of over 17,000 suspects now facing interrogation or prosecution for various offences.
“Nigeria’s security agencies have neutralised more than 13,500 terrorists through sustained operations and arrested over 17,000 suspects, who are now undergoing interrogation or prosecution for various offences.”
He added that more than 9,800 victims of abduction, including women and children, had been rescued and reintegrated, while over 124,000 insurgents and their families had surrendered to Nigerian forces, handing over more than 11,000 weapons.
“The menace of terrorism in Nigeria does not exclusively target any religious or ethnic group,” he said. “As in many parts of the world, extremism is mindless, blind to religion, tribe, or class. It is a war against all peace-loving Nigerians and against the unity and progress of our great nation.”
The minister stated that the federal government had increased defence spending, modernised military equipment, and reorganised the command structure through the appointment of new service chiefs to improve coordination and accountability. These reforms, he said, had delivered “real and remarkable” results.
