The Nigerian government has consistently refuted claims that Christians are specifically targeted in the country's insurgency and banditry incidents. In July 2022, Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed responded to allegations by five U.S. Republican Senators regarding the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. He emphasized that the Nigerian constitution guarantees freedom of religion and that the government does not endorse policies that infringe upon this right. Mohammed stated that criminal activities in Nigeria affect individuals irrespective of their religious affiliations, with both Muslims and Christians falling victim to such crimes. He acknowledged that while groups like the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) have targeted Christians to incite religious tensions, the government has intensified military operations to counter these threats.

Despite these assurances, concerns about religiously motivated violence in Nigeria persist. In December 2023, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expressed alarm over escalating violence against religious groups in Nigeria. The USCIRF highlighted attacks by Islamist insurgents targeting communities based on religion and urged the U.S. Department of State to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern due to ongoing violations of religious freedom.

Furthermore, reports indicate that in regions like Kaduna State, Christians, including pastors and churches, have been disproportionately affected by bandit attacks. These incidents have raised concerns about religious persecution, territorial disputes, and ethnic cleansing. The World Council of Churches reported that bandits have attacked Christian communities, resulting in killings, kidnappings, and the destruction of churches. The insecurity has also hindered agricultural activities, exacerbating economic challenges in these communities.

While the Nigerian government maintains that the ongoing violence is primarily criminal rather than religious, the international community continues to express concerns about the safety and freedom of religious groups in the country.