Lai Mohammed Rejects Christian Genocide Claims, Says Boko Haram Kills More Muslims

Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has dismissed allegations of a Christian genocide in Nigeria, insisting that insurgent groups such as Boko Haram have killed more Muslims than Christians in their attacks across the country.

Mohammed made the remarks in the United Kingdom during a question-and-answer session with students of Abbey College, Cambridge, where he spoke on governance, insecurity, and youth participation in Nigeria’s political development.

Responding to questions on religious violence, Mohammed said suggestions that Christians are being systematically targeted in Nigeria were “false” and misleading. He argued that Nigeria’s security challenges are complex and should not be reduced to a single religious narrative. “There should be more understanding on the part of the developed world. People say there is religious persecution in Nigeria and genocide against Christians. It’s not true. It is fake news,” he said.

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The former minister explained that the terrorist group Boko Haram initially emerged as a radical movement opposing Western education, noting that its early victims were largely Muslims. He said the group originally targeted those it considered opposed to its ideology, adding that “at the beginning, the victims of Boko Haram were largely Muslims, not Christians.” According to him, the group’s name reflects its ideology, loosely meaning opposition to Western education.

Mohammed also addressed insecurity linked to banditry, describing it as a criminal enterprise rather than a religious conflict. He said many of the attackers and victims belong to the same ethnic and religious groups, particularly in northern Nigeria. “The bandits are Muslims, they are Hausa-Fulanis. Their victims are Muslims. So how can you say it is about religion? It has nothing to do with religion,” he said.

He further argued that Nigeria has a strong tradition of religious tolerance, stating that ordinary citizens are more concerned about economic survival than religious differences. “In Nigeria, the average Muslim and Christian only disagree over money, not theology,” he said, adding that interfaith marriages are common across the country.

Mohammed urged stronger communication efforts to challenge what he described as misleading international narratives about religious conflict in Nigeria.

Nigeria continues to battle insecurity involving Boko Haram, ISWAP insurgents, armed banditry, and communal clashes across several regions. While religious identity is sometimes present in these conflicts, analysts often describe the violence as multi-dimensional, driven by terrorism, poverty, and criminal networks.

The federal government has consistently denied claims of state-sponsored religious persecution, insisting that security forces are engaged in combating terrorism and protecting all citizens regardless of faith.

Lai Mohammed Rejects Christian Genocide Claims, Says Boko Haram Kills More Muslims

Ted Cruz Accuses Nigerian Officials Over Alleged Attacks on Christians

United States Senator Ted Cruz has accused Nigerian government officials of being complicit in attacks against Christians in Nigeria, making the allegation during a Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee hearing on U.S. counterterrorism strategy in Africa.

Cruz said Nigeria has recorded what he described as one of the highest numbers of Christian deaths globally, claiming that since 2009, more than 50,000 Christians have been killed and over 20,000 churches, schools, and religious facilities destroyed in attacks across the country. He alleged that “Nigerian officials had been complicit in facilitating these atrocities,” and linked part of the insecurity to the implementation of Sharia law in some northern states, while also criticising what he described as a slow government response to worsening insecurity.

The senator also revealed that he has introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, a proposed legislation designed to hold Nigerian officials accountable over alleged involvement in or failure to prevent attacks on Christians. Cruz said he had previously engaged Nigerian defence and security officials who assured him that the violence would be addressed, but argued that those commitments have not yet delivered results. “I told them I would judge their commitment by the results. Those results have yet to materialise,” he said.

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During the hearing, a senior official from the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, Nick Chèeker, responded by acknowledging ongoing cooperation between the United States and Nigeria on security matters. He noted improvements such as restructuring within Nigeria’s security agencies, increased troop recruitment, deployment of forest guards to vulnerable areas, and the establishment of a bilateral high-level working group following discussions between Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and U.S. officials.

The U.S. official also pointed to increased prosecution of suspected terrorists and continued American support for Nigerian security forces, while stressing that “more can be done” to improve security outcomes in the country.

The Nigerian federal government has not yet issued an official response to Cruz’s latest comments. However, former Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, has previously stated that more Muslims than Christians have been killed in violence linked to terrorist groups such as Boko Haram.

Nigeria continues to face complex security challenges involving Boko Haram, ISWAP insurgents, banditry, and communal conflicts affecting both Christians and Muslims, particularly in the North and Middle Belt regions. Analysts say the crisis is driven by multiple factors, including terrorism and criminality, rather than a single religious cause.

Ted Cruz Accuses Nigerian Officials Over Alleged Attacks on Christians

Presidency Clarifies Edun, Dangiwa Resigned—Not Sacked

The Presidency has clarified that former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, resigned from office on health grounds and was not removed, putting to rest speculation surrounding his exit from the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

In a statement issued in Abuja by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the government also confirmed that the former Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, similarly stepped down voluntarily.

According to the Presidency, Edun conveyed his decision in a formal resignation letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing health concerns. The former minister, who recently turned 70, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve in the administration.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda. Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected,” his letter read in part.

The Presidency disclosed that Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President on Tuesday, where both men held a closed-door meeting lasting about an hour before the official announcement of his resignation.

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Following the meeting, Edun was said to have departed Abuja to focus on private business interests and personal matters, marking the end of his tenure in public office for now.

Similarly, Ahmed Dangiwa thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, as the administration acknowledged his contributions to housing and urban development policies during his time in office.

President Tinubu expressed appreciation to both former ministers for their service and roles in advancing the government’s reform agenda, wishing them success in their future endeavours.

As part of the transition, the Presidency confirmed that Taiwo Oyedele has assumed office as the new Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. He has been tasked with consolidating ongoing fiscal reforms and driving Nigeria’s economic agenda with renewed discipline and innovation.

In the housing sector, the President is expected to forward the nomination of Muttaqha Darma to the Senate for confirmation as Minister of Housing and Urban Development.

Edun, a seasoned economist and investment banker, previously served as Lagos State Commissioner for Finance between 1999 and 2004 during Tinubu’s tenure as governor, where he played a key role in fiscal reforms at the state level.

His tenure at the federal level was marked by efforts to stabilise Nigeria’s economy, manage public finances, and implement reforms amid inflationary pressures and global economic uncertainty.

The Presidency’s clarification comes amid heightened public interest and political commentary following the recent cabinet reshuffle, with officials emphasising that the exits were voluntary and part of a smooth leadership transition within the administration.

Presidency Clarifies Edun, Dangiwa Resigned—Not Sacked