Christian Fighters From Niger Delta’ Involved in Killings Across North, Alleges Arewa Leader, Prof. Usman

Arewa elder statesman and former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf, has sparked nationwide debate after alleging that “Christian fighters from the Niger Delta” are responsible for several deadly attacks in northern Nigeria

Prof. Yusuf made the claim in a recent publication where he challenged what he described as a “false narrative” portraying northern Muslims as perpetrators of religious genocide. According to him, evidence gathered from local communities suggests that some of the killings attributed to bandits and terrorists may have been carried out by armed groups allegedly brought in from outside the region He said residents in affected communities—particularly in Zamfara and parts of the Northwest—have raised concerns about unfamiliar fighters operating in the area. These individuals, he alleged, were “Christian militias from the Niger Delta” who had been deployed under the guise of assisting security operations but ended up committing atrocities against northern civilians, including attacks on mosques Prof. Yusuf claimed that remnants of these fighters had previously boasted publicly about their deployment at the Presidential Villa early in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. He warned that their presence, if not immediately addressed, could heighten sectarian tensions and worsen the already fragile security situation. The Arewa leader also argued that many reports circulating internationally about a “Christian genocide” in the North were misleading and lacked balance, insisting that both Muslims and Christians have been victims of violence across the country. He criticised what he called the manipulation of Nigeria’s complex security crisis for political and religious advantage Prof. Yusuf urged the Federal Government to launch a full investigation into the alleged deployment of non-local militias to northern communities, saying Nigerians deserve transparency on who is involved in ongoing security operations. He also called for the immediate withdrawal of such fighters and demanded accountability from those who might have authorised their deployment. Security analysts, however, have advised caution, stressing the need for independent verification of the claims. They warn that unconfirmed accusations risk inflaming already sensitive religious and regional tensions. As of press time, federal authorities and security agencies have not issued an official response to Prof. Yusuf’s assertions. The allegations come at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with widespread insecurity—ranging from banditry and kidnapping to communal clashes and insurgency—leaving thousands displaced and undermining efforts to restore stability across the North Prof. Yusuf insists that only full transparency, responsible leadership, and an end to what he calls “divisive narratives” can prevent the nation from sliding deeper into mistrust and violence.