The Presidency has criticised the sanctions approved against Nigeria by the US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee over widespread killings of Christians and religious violence in the country.
The committee issued a report stating that between October 2019 and September 2023, terrorist groups killed 55,910 people and abducted 21,000 others in the country.
In the document, Committee Chairman, Chris Smith, cited a testimony from Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Diocese of Makurdi, Nigeria, describing it as compelling and disturbing.
Reacting, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, said the report lacks context and timelines.
He stressed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration promotes religious tolerance, adding that since it was sworn in on May 29, 2023, the country has witnessed little or no case of persecution of Christians anywhere.
“Secondly, while we are in no way admitting or authenticating the report of the US foreign relations committee, it is note worthy to state that the committee’s report falls short of context and timelines,” Bwala said.
“President Bola Tinubu remains committed to promoting peace and religious tolerance.”