The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged religious leaders to guard against presenting Nigeria’s security challenges as a religious war, warning that such narratives could undermine national unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Idris also called on Christian leaders to use their influence to promote truth, peace, responsible citizenship and tolerance, stressing that no Nigerian should be attacked or discriminated against because of their faith.
The minister made the call in a keynote address delivered at the grand finale of the 2026 Synod of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and the International Communion of Charismatic Archbishops, Bishops and Apostles at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, on Wednesday.
The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation shared the address on its official X account on Thursday.
Speaking on religious freedom and national security, Idris said the Federal Government remained committed to protecting the constitutional rights of Nigerians to practise their faith freely.
“Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and the Federal Government remains committed to protecting every citizen’s right to worship and practise their faith freely. No Nigerian should be attacked or discriminated against because of religion. Christians, Muslims and people of other faiths should be able to live and worship in peace.
“At the same time, we should not allow our security challenges to be wrongly presented as a religious war. Terrorists and criminal groups have attacked Nigerians of different faiths and backgrounds, and their objective is to create fear and undermine our national unity,” the statement quoted Idris as saying.
The minister said the administration of President Bola Tinubu had strengthened intelligence gathering, inter-agency cooperation and military operations, while also expanding international partnerships on security.
He continued, “Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the government has strengthened intelligence, inter-agency cooperation and military operations, with significant gains recorded against terrorist and criminal networks. Our international partnerships have also grown stronger. Cooperation with the United States and other friendly nations covers intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism, training, defence and border security.
“The message is clear: Nigeria is not facing these threats alone. We will continue to work with our international partners while strengthening our own capacity to protect Nigerians. But security ultimately requires the cooperation and vigilance of all citizens.”
Idris said religious leaders had a particularly important role in shaping public opinion because of the influence they wield over millions of Nigerians. “The Church occupies a special place in the life of our nation. Millions of Nigerians look to their pastors, bishops and other religious leaders not only for spiritual guidance, but also for direction on issues that affect their families, communities and the country.
“That influence comes with responsibility. At a time when misinformation, hate speech, religious intolerance and political tension can spread within minutes, the pulpit and other platforms of religious communication should remain places where truth, peace and responsible citizenship are promoted,” Idris was quoted as adding.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the minister urged religious leaders to distinguish political differences from religious hostility. “As we approach the 2027 general elections, this responsibility will become even more important. Political competition is part of democracy. Nigerians have the right to support the political party or candidate of their choice. Religious leaders also have the right, as citizens, to hold political opinions, but we must draw a clear line between political disagreement and religious hostility,” the minister added
He reiterated the constitutional protection of religious freedom, saying the right extended to Christians, Muslims and adherents of other faiths. Idris warned against allowing the 2027 elections to deepen religious, ethnic or regional divisions.
“We must therefore be clear: no Nigerian should be attacked, threatened or discriminated against because of his or her faith. Christians must be able to worship freely. Muslims must be able to worship freely. People of other faiths and those who hold different beliefs should equally be able to live according to their conscience within the law.
“No election should be allowed to turn Christian against Muslim, Muslim against Christian, North against South, or one ethnic group against another. Nigeria belongs to all of us. The message from our religious leaders should therefore encourage citizens to participate actively in democracy, examine the records and programmes of political candidates, vote according to their conscience, and accept legitimate electoral outcomes. Our differences should not become a reason for violence,” Idris warned.
On the security situation, Idris said the Federal Government had adopted what he described as a comprehensive approach, involving intelligence gathering, inter-agency coordination, military operations and improved logistics. “This is particularly important because Nigeria has made significant progress in confronting the security challenges that have affected many parts of the country. That is why the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has adopted a comprehensive approach to national security.
“The Administration has strengthened intelligence gathering, inter-agency coordination, military operations, logistics and the wider national security architecture. The President has also directed a new counter-terrorism approach built around unified command, intelligence, community stability and sustained counter-insurgency operations”, he stated.
He said the security forces had continued to put pressure on terrorist and criminal networks across the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions.
“We are seeing results. Our security forces have continued to put pressure on terrorist and criminal networks across the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, the Theatre Commander in the North-East reported that approximately 1,000 terrorist elements, including dozens of their leaders, had been eliminated,” he noted.
He also cited recent rescue operations, saying, “There have also been significant rescue operations. In August, security agencies rescued 308 abducted Nigerians in Niger and Kwara States in a coordinated, intelligence-led operation involving the Armed Forces, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force.”
However, Idris stressed that tackling insecurity required contributions beyond the military and other security agencies, urging religious leaders to help prevent radicalisation and promote peaceful engagement.
He added, “But the task of building a secure and peaceful society extends beyond the military and the police. Religious leaders have a vital role to play in strengthening social cohesion, guiding young people away from radicalisation and criminality, and promoting dialogue and peaceful engagement as the appropriate response to political, social and economic grievances.”