The ongoing security crisis in Nigeria has sparked widespread controversy, particularly regarding claims that the violence is part of a systematic genocide against Christians. Some international voices have echoed these allegations, but the Nigerian government has firmly rejected them, calling such claims false and damaging to national peace. Despite these official statements, the perspectives of Nigerians on the ground reveal a more complex reality, with many asserting that the violence affects all citizens, regardless of their religious affiliations.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, categorically dismissed accusations of religiously targeted violence, calling such allegations divisive and unhelpful. In a statement issued on September 28, 2025, he emphasized that the government’s stance is clear: the violence in Nigeria is perpetrated by terrorists targeting anyone who opposes their radical ideology, irrespective of faith.
“These criminals target all who reject their murderous ideology, regardless of faith,” Idris said, stressing the indiscriminate nature of these attacks.
Between May 2023 and February 2025, Nigerian security forces made significant progress in the fight against terrorism. Over 13,500 terrorists were neutralized, and nearly 10,000 hostages, including both Muslims and Christians, were rescued. These operations highlight the broad scope of Nigeria’s security challenges, with violent acts perpetrated by insurgents and terrorists not limited to any one religious group.
Further evidence of Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts came with the capture of the leadership of the al-Qaeda-affiliated group Ansaru. This success was seen as a major victory in the fight against terrorism and terrorist networks within the country. The operation significantly disrupted the group’s operations, weakening its capacity to operate in Nigeria.
These developments align with reports from the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), a global body tracking counterterrorism operations. According to NCTC, the capture of Ansaru’s top leadership, including Mahmud Muhammad Usman (Abu Baraa) and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, has crippled the group’s operational capacity. Such successes demonstrate Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist groups, even as the security situation remains complex.
Despite the government’s consistent assertions that the violence is not based on religious grounds, the public perception on the ground remains divided. A survey conducted by Fairview Africa asked Nigerians to share their thoughts on the violence, and the results showed a consensus that the violence affects all Nigerians, regardless of religion.
Mr. Pascal, one respondent, emphasized that violence does not discriminate between Muslims and Christians: “I think the violence in the country affects everyone irrespective of the religion. Muslim or Christian, because it’s not written on the forehead. Whenever violence occurs, you can’t identify a Muslim or a Christian, so I will just appeal to the government to come to our aid so it can reduce the rate of killings in our country, and we can be united because we are all one.”
Samson Donatus, another respondent, echoed similar sentiments: “Violence in Nigeria affects everyone, either Muslims or Christians.” Jacob, a third respondent, pointed out that both the rich and the poor are suffering due to the violence: “Everybody is dying, both Christians and Muslims. They are dying alike. This thing is affecting everybody, including the rich and the poor. Everybody is dying.”
This perspective underscores the complexity of the violence. While the government maintains that the issue is one of ideology rather than religion, the lived experiences of citizens suggest otherwise. For many Nigerians, the violence is a crisis that transcends religious lines, affecting everyone regardless of faith.
The ongoing security crisis in Nigeria, particularly in the North Central region, has worsened in recent years. According to the Nigeria Security Tracker (NST), a U.S.-based initiative that tracks violence and security incidents in the country, over 2,000 deaths were recorded in the North Central region in 2023 alone. The increasing violence in the region has been attributed to extremist groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), who continue to wreak havoc, causing widespread panic, displacement, and loss of life.
NST data further shows that violence in Nigeria does not discriminate based on religion or ethnicity; instead, it affects communities across all divides. These terrorist groups are targeting government structures and civilians alike, regardless of their faith. This reality has led to widespread internal displacement, with many Nigerians fleeing the violence in search of safety.
While attention has been focused on the religious aspect of the violence, it is crucial to note that these attacks, as reported by the International Crisis Group (ICG), are driven by terrorist ideologies, not religious agendas. The ICG also reported that Nigeria has made some progress in counterterrorism efforts, with over 700 Boko Haram suspects successfully prosecuted and the capture of key leaders, including those of Ansaru. However, the ICG warns that the fight against insurgency is far from over.
Terrorist groups continue to exploit Nigeria’s porous borders and weak governance structures, making it increasingly difficult to guarantee the safety of all citizens. The continued presence of these extremist factions highlights the vulnerability of the country and underscores the urgent need for stronger counterterrorism strategies.
The increasing number of deaths in the North Central region serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the security crisis. While the violence is often framed as religious, it is clear that it affects all Nigerians, irrespective of their faith. As the situation continues to escalate, there is a pressing need for greater cooperation between the government, local communities, and international partners to ensure lasting peace.
The official government narrative, which stresses the ideological nature of the violence, contrasts sharply with the grassroots perspective. While official reports indicate that terrorism is on the decline, the perception of insecurity remains high among the population. Many Nigerians believe that the government’s efforts, while significant, have not adequately addressed the fears of ordinary citizens, who continue to face violence on a daily basis.
As Nigeria moves forward in its battle against terrorism, it is essential for the government’s messaging to reflect the lived realities of its citizens.
The widespread belief that the violence affects all Nigerians, regardless of their faith, will play a significant role in shaping the public’s response to government policies and the international community’s understanding of the crisis. As Mr. Pascal aptly put it: “We are all one.”
