Islamic Affairs Council Denies Claims of Christian Genocide in Nigeria
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has strongly refuted allegations suggesting an ongoing genocide against Christians in Nigeria, describing such claims as “false, dangerous, and politically motivated.”
Addressing journalists at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, the Council’s Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, said the narrative being promoted by certain Western media outlets and political figures was part of a “coordinated campaign to destabilise Nigeria and fuel religious tension.”
Prof. Oloyede emphasised that while Nigeria has faced serious security challenges in recent years, it is misleading and divisive to interpret them through a religious lens.
He stated that most acts of violence across the country stem from criminality, poverty, and climate-induced migration, not religious persecution.
“We affirm that in Nigeria, there is no Christian terrorism. There is no Muslim terrorism.
There is no religious intolerance in Nigeria,” he declared.
“The Nigerian tragedy is that of poverty, climate change, bad governance over time, and armed criminals who kill indiscriminately, while a section of the world seeks to exploit the situation for geopolitical profits.”
The NSCIA cautioned international observers and foreign governments against accepting or amplifying unverified reports that could deepen divisions within the country.
The Council called on Nigerians-irrespective of faith or ethnicity to remain united and resist attempts by external actors to sow discord.
Prof. Oloyede also urged both Christian and Muslim leaders to work together to promote peace, understanding, and national cohesion.
“Our collective challenge is not religion but governance, justice, and equitable development,” he said. “We must not allow anyone to turn our pain into propaganda.”
The statement follows a series of international reports and political statements alleging targeted attacks on Christians in parts of northern Nigeria claims that have sparked widespread debate both within and outside the country.
The NSCIA reaffirmed its commitment to interfaith harmony and called for renewed efforts by the government to tackle insecurity, unemployment, and environmental challenges that have worsened communal tensions nationwide.
