Nigeria’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar, delivered a firm denial on Tuesday concerning allegations of state-sponsored religious persecution.
Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, he resolutely stated that any involvement by the Nigerian government in such activity is entirely “impossible” given the nation’s existing legal and constitutional framework.
The Minister’s remarks were made in direct response to questioning about U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent severe warning.
President Trump had publicly threatened the possibility of “fast” military intervention in Nigeria. This action was contingent upon Nigeria’s failure to curb the alleged targeted killing of Christians.
Constitutional Pledges Defend All Faiths
Minister Tuggar addressed the international concerns while appearing alongside his German counterpart. He highlighted the fundamental protection afforded by Nigeria’s laws.
He pointed specifically to the country’s profound “constitutional commitment to religious freedom and rule of law.”
“This is what shows that there can’t be a religious persecution that can be supported in any way, shape or form by the government of Nigeria at any level, be it federal, be it regional, be it local, it’s impossible,” Tuggar emphatically declared.
Nigeria’s demographic reality complicates any claims of one-sided religious violence. The nation is vast, with an estimated population of 220 million people. This citizenry is nearly equally split between adherents of Christianity and Islam.
Violence Is Complex, Not Just Religious
Nigeria has contended for many years with persistent insecurity stemming from numerous sources. These conflicts include attacks by the extremist group Boko Haram, which seeks to impose its radical interpretation of Islamic law. Significantly, this group has also targeted members of the Muslim community who do not adhere to its rigid ideology.
The Foreign Minister emphasized that the violence gripping the country cannot be reduced to a simple case of religious persecution. He strongly warned against any external attempts to create further division along religious lines. He explicitly drew a parallel to the unfolding crisis in Sudan.
Tuggar asserted that the international community must avoid creating “another Sudan.” He warned against agitation based on ethnic or religious sentiments.
The Minister’s message was that the focus should be on complex security issues rather than simplistic religious narratives. This approach aims to secure lasting stability.
READ MORE: NELFUND Disburses N116.4bn to Over 600,000 Students
