Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has revealed that security agencies have killed more than 13,000 terrorists and arrested over 17,000 others since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.
Idris disclosed the figures on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, responding to concerns raised by United States lawmakers over Nigeria’s human rights and security record.
The remarks came after a hearing by the US House Subcommittee on Africa, which queried Nigeria’s recent redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern amid allegations of widespread attacks on Christian communities. During the hearing, Rep.
Bill Huizenga accused the Nigerian government of failing to confront what he described as persistent and targeted killings.
But Idris rejected suggestions that the government was downplaying the crisis, insisting that Nigeria has recorded “significant progress” in counter-terrorism operations.
“Sometimes we forget some of the successes recorded in the fight against bandits, criminals and jihadists,” he said.
“From May 2023 to date, over 13,500 of these criminals have been neutralised. Over 17,000 have been apprehended, many of whom have already been prosecuted and sentenced.”
The minister said President Tinubu remains “deeply saddened” by the killings across the country, stressing that no Nigerian should lose their life because of faith or location.
“We don’t need a situation where anybody is killed, whether Christian or Muslim. It’s not good for our country,” Idris said.
He also dismissed claims of religious genocide, arguing that violence affects both Christian and Muslim communities.
“Are people being killed? Yes. Is it a good thing? No. Is the government doing something about it? Quite a lot,” Idris said.
“But there is no religious genocide in Nigeria. Christians are being killed in some parts, just as Muslims are being killed. It is a sad reality, but that characterisation is not correct.”
The minister’s comments come amid rising scrutiny of Nigeria’s security situation, as citizens and international observers continue to call for more effective measures to curb banditry, insurgency, and communal violence.
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