FG Slams U.S. Embassy Over 'False' Testimonies

The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly dismissed claims made in a social media post by the United States Embassy in Abuja and the testimonies of two Nigerian religious leaders at a recent U.S. Congressional hearing, calling them inaccurate and a misrepresentation of the country’s efforts to address security and religious tensions.

In a statement issued by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government responded to concerns raised by the U.S. Embassy. The Embassy's post referenced testimonies by Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and Rev. Fr. Remigius Ihyula, who spoke on alleged religious persecution in Nigeria.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes with concern a recent social media post by the U.S. Embassy, Abuja, regarding Nigeria’s security situation and the testimonies by Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and Rev. Fr. Remigius Ihyula. These testimonies have unfortunately triggered alleged threats, following their appearance at the U.S. Congressional Hearing on Religious Persecution in Nigeria,” the statement read.

While emphasizing that the religious leaders are entitled to their personal views and constitutional rights to freedom of speech and association, the Ministry said their testimonies presented a distorted and oversimplified view of a deeply complex national issue.

Describing the allegations as “inaccurate and unfair,” the Ministry rejected claims that the Nigerian government has allowed violence to spiral out of control.

“In reality, the government has consistently taken decisive measures—deploying security personnel to conflict zones, promoting peace between farmers and herders, enhancing intelligence operations to dismantle criminal networks, and enacting policies to address root causes such as land use conflicts and economic hardship,” the Ministry stated.

It also emphasized that Nigeria faces a range of security threats—banditry, terrorism, and organized crime—that cut across religious and ethnic lines, contrary to the narrative of targeted religious persecution.

The government reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to protecting constitutional freedoms, including the rights to religion and expression. It pledged to investigate any credible threats or intimidation directed at religious leaders and to take appropriate action.

While acknowledging the concerns raised at the hearing, the Ministry rejected what it described as the false narrative of an “Islamist extermination” of Christians in Nigeria.

“The Nigerian government will continue to safeguard the lives and property of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, while deepening cooperation with both national and international partners in the fight against insecurity,” the statement concluded.

The government also called for more responsible reporting that acknowledges the complexity of Nigeria’s challenges and promotes dialogue over division.