The Northern Awareness Network (NAN),has dismissed claims that Christians in Nigeria are facing genocide, insisting that the country’s challenges are far more complex than a case of religious persecution.
In a statement issued by its Chairman, Salihu Sulaiman, on Wednesday,the group said Nigeria’s crisis is rooted in political, ethnic, and economic factors, rather than religion alone.
Sulaiman described as “misleading and dangerous” the growing rhetoric portraying Nigeria as a country engaged in the systematic extermination of Christians, warning that such narratives risk deepening divisions and undermining national unity.
“The situation in Nigeria is not a straightforward case of religious persecution but a multifaceted crisis.
“Violence in Nigeria has affected both Muslims and Christians alike, with extremist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP targeting individuals indiscriminately,”Sulaiman said.
He cited numerous attacks on Muslim worshippers between 2013 and 2025 as evidence that violence cuts across all faiths, urging local and international observers to adopt a more nuanced understanding of the insecurity.
The NAN chairman also cautioned U.S. President Donald Trump against supporting any form of military intervention in Nigeria, saying such a move could further destabilise the country’s fragile democracy.
According to him, “Hasty military involvement would only worsen the situation and derail Nigeria’s progress toward political stability and social cohesion.”
Sulaiman further accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of attempting to destabilise opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress, Labour Party, and Peoples Democratic Party.
He alleged that Wike’s actions represented a threat to democratic governance, urging the U.S. to consider sanctions or visa bans against Nigerian officials “involved in subverting democracy.”
“Wike’s dangerous machinations could incite political unrest and further polarise an already divided populace,” he said.
The group urged the U.S. and other international partners to prioritise diplomacy, peacebuilding, and dialogue over external military involvement, saying that fostering unity among Nigerians should remain the ultimate goal.
“We believe the U.S. can play a vital role by supporting efforts that strengthen democracy rather than undermine it,” Su
laiman added.
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