The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has dismissed claims of a Christian genocide in Nigeria, describing the allegations as false, divisive, and politically driven.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, NSCIA Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, accused sections of the Western media and political figures of amplifying the genocide narrative as part of a coordinated attempt to destabilise Nigeria.
Oloyede maintained that the ongoing violence in parts of the country was rooted in poverty, climate change, and criminality not religious persecution.
“We affirm that in Nigeria, there is no Christian terrorism. There is no Muslim terrorism. The Nigerian tragedy is that of poverty, bad governance, and criminal violence, while some exploit the situation for geopolitical gain,” he said.
The Islamic body alleged that certain separatist groups, foreign lobbyists, and U.S. politicians were pushing “fabricated statistics and doctored videos” to influence Western governments.
It further claimed that the renewed U.S. designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)” was politically motivated and urged former U.S. President Donald Trump to assist Nigeria through intelligence support instead of military threats.
PFN Disagrees, Insists Genocide Is Real
However, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) President, Bishop Wale Oke, countered the NSCIA’s stance, insisting that Christians were being systematically targeted.
“There is Christian genocide in Nigeria. No Christian group is attacking Muslims. The patience of the church is being stretched,” Oke said during a visit to the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at the weekend.
He cited multiple incidents — including the killings in Benue, Taraba, Southern Kaduna, Owo, and the abductions of Leah Sharibu and the Chibok girls as proof of targeted attacks.
