Presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, has rejected claims that Christians are being deliberately targeted and killed in Nigeria. His reaction came after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported President Donald Trump’s decision to place Nigeria on the “Country of Particular Concern” list over alleged Christian persecution.

Rubio posted that thousands of Christians were being killed by extremist groups, calling the situation tragic and unacceptable. He added that the U.S. government stands ready to intervene to protect religious freedom.

Onanuga responded on X, stressing that Muslims in Nigeria also face attacks and their lives matter too. He dismissed the claim of ongoing mass killings of Christians, calling it “a gross exaggeration.” According to him, violent incidents in Nigeria are not based on religion but are caused by bandits and terrorists who attack both Christians and Muslims.

He further explained that both churches and mosques have been victims of the violence. Onanuga urged the U.S. government to offer military support to help Nigeria fight extremists rather than labeling the country as one facing religious genocide.

He insisted that the real issue is insecurity driven by criminal groups, not religious persecution, and appealed for international assistance in tackling terrorism in affected states.