The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, has dismissed recent claims suggesting that Christians are being systematically targeted and killed in Nigeria, insisting that such allegations are misleading and designed to destabilise the country.
Addressing journalists at a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday, the NSCIA Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, said the narrative being pushed by some Western media organisations, politicians, and lobby groups does not reflect Nigeria’s reality.
According to him, insecurity in Nigeria is largely fueled by poverty, climate-induced displacement, and criminal activities rather than religious persecution.
“We affirm that in Nigeria, there is no Christian terrorism and there is no Muslim terrorism,” Oloyede said.
“The Nigerian tragedy is rooted in poverty, climate change, long-term governance failures, and armed criminals who attack communities indiscriminately while certain interests abroad exploit the situation for geopolitical advantage.”
His remarks follow renewed international debate after the President of the United States, Donald Trump, criticised what he described as “mass killings of Christians” in Nigeria, warning that the U.S. could take swift military action if the Nigerian government failed to act.
Oloyede alleged that some separatist groups, foreign lobbyists and political actors are deliberately circulating doctored videos, exaggerated figures, and selective reports to sway Western policymakers into sanctioning Nigeria.
“These groups push fabricated statistics and manipulated visuals to influence foreign governments, especially the United States, towards punitive measures against Nigeria,” he claimed.
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He also questioned the U.S. government’s recent classification of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” on religious freedom, describing the designation as politically driven rather than evidence-based.
The NSCIA urged the Nigerian government and international partners to resist what it termed a dangerous and “destabilising narrative.”
It also appealed to President Trump to support Nigeria through intelligence-sharing and logistical assistance instead of public condemnation.
“Muslims and Christians must stand together. There is no religious war in Nigeria. There are only criminals exploiting our national fault lines,” Oloyede added.
The Council reiterated its commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence and encouraged religious leaders across the country to help de-escalate tensions rather than reinforce divisive rhetoric.
