FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS FALSE ALLEGATION OF GENOCIDE AGAINST CHRISTIANS BY THE ALL-PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP FOR INTERNATIONAL FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF.
The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been drawn to a misleading report in the media by the United Kingdom All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for International Freedom of Religion or Belief, on the herders-farmers conflict in Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Ferdinand Nwonye
Spokesperson
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja stated that:
“The 56-page report by the APPG, an informal cross-party group with no official status within the UK Parliament, titled: “Nigeria-Unfolding Genocide?” falsely claimed that the escalating conflict between Fulani herders and farmers in Northern Nigeria is manifested along ideological lines, with violence primarily targeted at Christians in the North. This unfortunate conclusion is a deviation from the truth and unnecessary exaggeration that intends to create bad blood among members of dominant faiths in the country.
The Ministry wishes to further state that the controversial report should be disregarded, because even the Group issued a disclaimer in the report under reference, affirming that “this is not an official publication of the House of Commons or the House of Lords. It has not been approved by either House or its committees. All-Party Groups are informal groups of Members of both Houses with a common interest in particular issues. The views expressed in the report are those of the Groups’’. The Ministry wishes to assure the Nigerian citizenry and members of the international community that the Government of Nigeria acknowledges the negative impact of the terrorist and bandit attacks in the country and is committed to ensuring the protection of lives and properties of all citizens. (Outlook media).