The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has dismissed recent claims of an ongoing Christian genocide in Nigeria, stating that terrorist attacks in the country are not targeted at any particular religion, but affect both Christians and Muslims alike.
This follows a series of comments by some American public figures and lawmakers, including U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, comedian and talk show host Bill Maher, and U.S. Congressman Riley Moore, all of whom have raised concerns over what they describe as systematic killings of Christians in Nigeria.
Speaking on his HBO show, Maher accused Islamist extremists of attempting to wipe out Nigeria’s Christian population, claiming that over 100,000 Christians have been killed since 2009, and more than 18,000 churches burnt. He compared the situation to events in Gaza, stating that “they are literally attempting to wipe out the Christian population of an entire country.”
In a similar tone, Senator Ted Cruz claimed Nigerian officials were “ignoring and even facilitating the mass murder of Christians by Islamist jihadists.” He announced the introduction of the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act in the U.S. Senate, aimed at sanctioning Nigerian officials allegedly complicit in religious persecution.
Congressman Riley Moore also called for the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and asked the U.S. to halt arms sales to Nigeria until the government demonstrates a clear commitment to ending violence against Christians.
However, CAN has strongly rejected these claims. In a statement by its Director of National Issues and Social Welfare, Abimbola Ayuba, the association acknowledged the troubling level of insecurity in the country but said the killings do not follow any clear religious pattern.
“Empirical facts exist all over the space about the spate of killings in Nigeria. The pattern has not been in a particular direction,” Ayuba said. “In some Christian-dominated states like Benue, it may appear that Christians are being targeted, but insurgents have also killed many Muslims, even while they were praying in mosques.”
He added that terrorist groups like Boko Haram, bandits, and ISWAP often attack without regard to religion or age.
“Sometimes they open fire in a marketplace. The bullets don’t look for a Christian or spare a Muslim or even a baby,” Ayuba explained.
CAN believes some foreign actors are taking advantage of Nigeria’s situation to push their own agenda.
“Yes, it’s concerning that this insurgency is lasting too long. But this issue is not as straightforward as foreign commentators make it seem. Those who run abroad seeking sympathy know why they do that,” Ayuba added.
He also advised Nigerians and international observers to stop presenting the violence in religious terms, stressing that Nigeria needs an “all-of-society action” to end the insurgency, not foreign intervention based on distorted narratives.
“Why run to America when we have a Senate here where petitions can be filed? If Nigeria is labelled a country of concern, we all will suffer, not just those making the noise abroad.”
The Presidency has also consistently denied the claims of religious genocide, maintaining that there is no religious war in Nigeria and that both Muslims and Christians have suffered under terrorist attacks across the country.
Nigeria has been battling multiple security challenges for over a decade, particularly in the North-East, where Boko Haram and its splinter groups continue to operate. Other regions have also witnessed violent attacks from bandits, communal clashes, and kidnappers.
While religious institutions and human rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns about targeted violence, local and federal authorities have insisted that the conflict is complex, involving ethnic, political, economic, and territorial factors, not solely religion.
As global attention turns to Nigeria once again, CAN is urging both local and international actors to focus on unity and joint solutions rather than spreading divisive narratives that could further inflame tensions.
