Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has stated that 177 Christians were killed and 102 churches attacked in the last five years, countering claims of widespread religious persecution during a tense appearance on the Piers Morgan Show on Tuesday.
Tuggar disclosed this while responding to allegations of targeted attacks against Christians in Nigeria.
Minister Rejects Intersociety Figures
His comments followed his rebuttal of figures released by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), which claims that more than 50,000 Christians have been killed and 18,000 churches destroyed in Nigeria since 2009.
Tuggar dismissed the group’s statistics as inaccurate, stressing that the Nigerian government does not record casualties according to religion.
Pressed for official data, he said 177 Christians had been killed and 102 churches attacked in the past five years, figures he insisted reflected verified government records.
Exchange Intensifies as Former Canadian MP Joins
The discussion escalated when Piers Morgan introduced former Canadian MP, Goldie Ghamari. She alleged that insecurity in Nigeria amounted to “jihad” and compared it to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
She further suggested that the shared Islamic faith of President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima signalled an “Islamist” government encouraging violence.
Ghamari also claimed Nigeria had ties with Iran and alleged that schoolchildren in the country had been seen holding photos of the Iranian Ayatollah.
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“By the way, this is a government that is working closely behind the scenes with the Islamic Republic of Iran. You should ask the foreign minister why Nigerian schoolchildren are holding pictures of the Ayatollah, who is a brutal dictator and is murdering my people in Iran,” Ghamari said.
“People need to look into the linkages between the current Nigerian government and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
“I was a politician for seven years, Piers, and I can tell when someone is lying and avoiding the truth. That’s exactly what this foreign minister is doing, and shame on him for lying,” she added.
Tuggar Condemns Allegations
Tuggar dismissed her remarks as ignorant and dangerous, accusing her of making inflammatory claims without understanding Nigeria’s complexities.
He maintained that Nigerians prioritise regional balance over religion in political leadership.
The minister, who revealed he lost his father-in-law to Boko Haram, stressed that extremist groups target both Christians and Muslims, insisting that the majority of Boko Haram’s victims are Muslims who reject their ideology.
Debate Over Claims of Targeted Killings
Ghamari argued that attacks on Muslims did not negate what she described as “targeted ethnic cleansing” of Christians.
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Tuggar countered that she was advancing a narrative aimed at portraying Nigeria as unstable and on the verge of disintegration. He claimed she was part of a wider effort to fracture African countries, citing Sudan as an example.
Minister Defends Nigeria’s Image
Defending Nigeria’s record, Tuggar described the country as Africa’s largest democracy and a refuge for migrants with diverse religious freedoms. He criticised Ghamari sharply, calling her “a disgrace” and warning her against promoting narratives that could endanger Nigeria.
“It’s not going to happen to Nigeria. Move on to your next project. You’re a disgrace. You’re a disgrace to the Canadian nation. I’m shocked that you say that you actually practice as a politician in Canada. Move on to the next episode. Leave us alone,” he said.
The interview ended with both guests holding firm to their positions, highlighting the deep divide over international narratives surrounding insecurity and religious violence in Nigeria.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
