Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said the government is committed to protecting all citizens regardless of religion. He noted that Boko Haram terrorists have attacked both churches and mosques, stressing that the violence is not targeted only at one religious group or region. Idris made the statement during an interview on CNN’s The Exchange.

According to the minister, the Tinubu administration is not denying the security challenges facing the country but is actively working to solve them. He explained that both Christians and Muslims live together peacefully in many communities, and the government is determined to ensure their safety. Idris emphasized that the narrative claiming only one region is under attack is misleading and unhelpful.

He added that extremist groups are trying to create religious division by attacking worship centres belonging to both faiths. By doing so, he said, they want to give the impression that Christians and Muslims are enemies, which is not true. Idris stressed that painting the crisis as a religious war only worsens tensions and plays into the hands of terrorists.

The minister explained that Nigeria remains a religiously tolerant country, where people of different faiths live peacefully and worship freely. He highlighted that the nation’s constitution protects the rights of every citizen to practice their faith without fear. He also pointed out that senior positions in government are shared between Christians and Muslims, showing cooperation at the highest level.

Idris concluded by urging Nigerians and the international community to understand that the crisis is driven by criminal extremism, not religion. He encouraged unity, saying the government will continue its efforts to secure all communities and defeat terrorism across the country.