The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reiterated that Nigeria remains a safe country despite ongoing security challenges.

Speaking in an interview with CNN, Idris addressed allegations of targeted attacks against Christians, emphasizing that violence has affected both religious groups.

He stated that it is misleading to portray Nigeria as intolerant of religious freedom, noting that both Christians and Muslims have suffered from insecurity in certain regions.

According to him, “Nigeria is not that bad. Yes, there have been attacks on Christians, but Muslims have also been victims. It’s wrong to label Nigeria as a nation that does not uphold religious freedom.

“It’s equally incorrect to claim that nowhere is safe in the country. Nigeria is indeed a safe nation, although we acknowledge existing security challenges, particularly in the Northeast.

“There was a time Boko Haram controlled parts of the region, holding about 14 local government areas, but that is no longer the case. The situation has significantly improved.

“Travel across the country, which was once difficult, has become much safer. The Nigerian government continues to work tirelessly to protect lives and property and to ensure citizens can carry out their daily activities freely.

“Some of the statements coming from certain U.S. officials are based on inaccurate or outdated data,” he added.