By Joy Odor | Abuja
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Prof. Stephen Adegbite, has dismissed claims of a so-called “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, insisting that the country’s security crisis is a national challenge, not a religious war.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, Bishop Adegbite described Nigeria’s peace and progress as “rooted in unity, not division,” while cautioning against reckless foreign rhetoric that could inflame sectarian tensions.
His remarks came in response to recent comments by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who alleged that Christians were being systematically targeted in Nigeria and hinted at possible foreign military intervention.
“We appreciate global concern for the welfare of Christians,” Bishop Adegbite said, “but Nigeria’s security challenges terrorism, banditry, and criminality have affected all citizens, Christians and Muslims alike. This is not a religious war; it is a national security emergency.”
Citing data from ACLED and the Observatory of Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA), he revealed that between 2020 and 2025, over 20,000 civilians from multiple faith backgrounds have been killed in violent conflicts across Nigeria.
“The figures tell a clear story,” he said. “Both Christians and Muslims have suffered. What we face is terrorism, not targeted religious extermination.”
Bishop Adegbite commended the Federal and State Governments for progress in stabilizing conflict-prone regions, asserting that “no government policy or action has ever sanctioned violence against any faith group.”
Instead of threats of intervention, he said, what Nigeria needs from the global community is partnership, not paternalism.
“Help us with intelligence sharing, counterterrorism training, and humanitarian aid. Military invasion is not the solution,” he stressed.
The NCPC boss also warned that any foreign military incursion could destabilize the entire West African sub-region, triggering economic and humanitarian fallout.
“Nigeria is a multi-ethnic democracy of over 220 million people. What we need is solidarity, not coercion,” he said.
He further hailed the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) as a model for interfaith harmony, crediting cooperation between Christian and Muslim leaders for preventing wider sectarian violence.
“We stand united as religious leaders,” Bishop Adegbite affirmed. “Our calling is to heal, not divide to build bridges, not walls.”
Calling for responsible global reporting, he urged the international media and advocacy groups to “rely on verified facts, not sensationalism.”
“This is not Christians versus Muslims,” he concluded. “It is Nigerians versus terror and our strength lies in our shared humanity and hope for peace.”
