CHIDIMMA UCHEGBU, Abuja
With recent comments of the U.S. President Donald Trump about ” Christian Genocide ” in Nigeria and Threats of Military Invasion. The NCPC BOSS, in reply, said the Nigerian crisis is not a religious war, rather a national security emergency rooted in terrorism and criminality.
Bishop (Prof) Stephen Adegbite, the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Christian Pilgrim (NCPC), disclosed this during the press briefing with newsmen in his Abuja office, stressing that Nigeria’s Religious Leaders stand united against violence.
“We, as Christian leaders, work closely with our Muslim counterparts under the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) to foster pea mutual understanding. Our message has been consistent and unwavering”, he said.
According to him, “terrorism has no religion, and *banditry has no faith.”, When one community suffers, the entire nation bleeds. Our collective work from the national interfaith dialogue to joint humanitarian missions
reflects our conviction that Nigeria’s path to peace lies in unity, not division.
Bishop Adegbite said the Federal and State Governments Are Taking Steps, “We acknowledge the Nigerian Government’s ongoing military operations against insurgent and bandit groups in the North-East, North-West, and Middle Belt. Several terrorist leaders have been neutralised, kidnappers arrested, and communities resettled.
“While much remains to be done, it is only fair to recognise that progress is being made. The government does not and has never sanctioned violence against any faith group. Rather, it faces a complex web of
security challenges that affect everyone, regardless of religion.
He further said that Nigeria Needs Partnership, Not Threats from the United States and its allies, intelligence sharing, counterterrorism training, and humanitarian aid* not threats of “gun-a-blazing” intervention.
“Nigeria is a complex, multi-ethnic democracy with more than *220 million citizens* and over 250 ethnic nationalities. It is home to Africa’s largest Christian and Muslim populations living side by side. Any
reckless military action or misinformed intervention from abroad could destabilise the entire West African sub-region, triggering refugee crises, economic collapse, and extremist resurgence.
Nigeria’s sheer population size and the ingenuity of its people mean that instability here will ripple far beyond our borders undermining peace, trade, and democracy across Africa. What we need is *strategic cooperation*, not coercion, he added.
“When a global figure such as President Trump describes Nigeria’s crisis as a “Christian genocide,” it risks inflaming divisions and painting our multi-faith nation as a place of religious war, which it is not. Such rhetoric, combined with talk of foreign military involvement, is not only unhelpful but dangerous.
We urge all international observers, politicians, and advocacy groups to engage with verified facts and to support initiatives that bring healing, justice, and peace, not narratives that divide.
“Our Appeal To our Christian brethren around the world: please continue to pray for Nigeria. But also pray for our Muslim neighbours, who, like us, bury their dead and long for peace.
To our leaders at home: intensify security operations, strengthen justice systems, and ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of faith-can live and worship freely.
“To our friends abroad: partner with us in rebuilding our communities, educating our children, and restoring hope. Nigeria’s story is not one of genocide, but of a resilient people determined to overcome terror, protect
their faiths, and preserve unity.
“We appreciate every voice raised for the protection of the persecuted. But let the truth be told: Nigeria’s battle is not Christians versus Muslims, it is Nigerians versus terror. Our appeal is for compassion, not conflict; cooperation, not chaos, he concluded.
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