Nigeria, March 15 -- The Nigerian government, through the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has denied allegations of targeted killings of Christians in the country.

In a statement issued on Friday, the ministry said reports promoting these allegations are misleading and intended to pressure the United States into designating Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).

The CPC is a designation used by the United States Department of State for countries that engage in or tolerate severe violations of religious freedom.

It is based on the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) and determined by the US Secretary of State.

However, the ministry said that the negative activities occurring in the country are not driven by rel...