Tinubu Set to Name New Envoys, Says Information Minister

 

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Friday said President Bola Tinubu will soon appoint a new set of ambassadors to head Nigeria’s missions across the world.

Idris, who spoke on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, urged citizens to shun religious division and unite against the wave of insecurity confronting the country. He warned that branding the security challenge as a state-backed “Christian genocide” was false, incendiary and capable of deepening national fault lines.

His remarks followed renewed terrorist attacks and rising security concerns which spiked after U.S. President Donald Trump alleged a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria while threatening military action.

The minister dismissed such claims, insisting they do not reflect the realities on ground.

“This is not the time to divide ourselves. Nigerians—Christians and Muslims—have lived together peacefully for years. Any attempt to frame this crisis as an extermination of one religion is not only untrue but dangerous,” Idris said.

He noted that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of insurgents, bandits and criminal gangs in various regions, stressing the need for collective resolve instead of finger-pointing.

Idris added that President Tinubu has remained deeply concerned about the killings and has been restructuring the security architecture through new service chiefs, expanded operations and revamped strategies.

According to him, security agencies have neutralised over 13,500 terrorists and arrested over 17,000 criminals since May 2023. Several suspects linked to recent attacks, he said, are already undergoing prosecution.

Responding to claims that the government is targeting Christians, he reeled out key security and government appointments occupied by Christians.

“The Chief of Defence Staff is a Christian. The Inspector General of Police is a Christian. The DSS DG is a Christian. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation is a Christian. How then can anyone say government is ordering attacks on Christians?” he queried.

On Nigeria’s recent designation by the U.S. as a country of “particular concern”, Idris revealed that National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu is currently in Washington for high-level talks aimed at strengthening cooperation and correcting misconceptions.

“There is a misunderstanding of the situation on the American side. That is why the President directed the NSA to engage them directly,” he said.

Idris also argued that the recent spike in attacks appears “suspiciously timed” around ongoing diplomatic discussions, but insisted it does not mean the government is losing grip.

“This administration is not weak. A spike does not suggest failure. There is strategy in place, and many operations cannot be discussed publicly,” he added.

The minister assured that some of the kidnapped victims will soon be reunited with their families as ongoing operations progress.

He reaffirmed that ambassadors would be appointed shortly to strengthen Nigeria’s global engagement, adding that security remains the President’s overriding priority.

“The President has given clear directives. We are committed to protecting every Nigerian life. But national unity is essential if we must win this war,” Idris said.