The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and Abuja has called on Nigerians to remain calm and united in response to the recent remarks made by former United States President Donald Trump about alleged killings of Christians in Nigeria.
The association cautioned that the statement should not be twisted to create religious tension or political mischief but should instead serve as a wake-up call for Nigerians to demand stronger government action against terrorists and violent extremists.
CAN’s position came through its chairman in the region, Reverend John Joseph Hayab, who spoke on Tuesday in Kaduna during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He said Trump’s warning, which has drawn widespread reactions both locally and internationally, should be interpreted as a call for peace rather than a declaration of hostility toward Nigeria.
Former President Trump recently made comments suggesting that the world must not turn a blind eye to what he described as “the killing of Christians in Nigeria.” He further stated that if the situation continued unchecked, the U.S. might consider intervention to protect victims of religious violence.
The statement has since sparked heated reactions. Some Nigerians, especially political commentators, accused Trump of exaggerating the situation, while others feared his words could inflame religious tensions in a country already battling division along ethnic and faith lines.
However, Rev. Hayab said such interpretations were misguided. He explained that rather than fuelling anger, the former U.S. leader’s concern should be taken as an appeal for the Nigerian government to act decisively against terrorists and criminal groups responsible for senseless killings.
“If you choose to read President Trump’s statement with an open mind,” Hayab said, “you will simply hear the voice of a visitor who cares about you and wants you to do something serious to enjoy peace and unity in your country.”
Hayab stressed that Nigerians must rise above emotional reactions and take the issue as an opportunity for sober reflection and national healing.
He warned against those attempting to manipulate Trump’s statement to promote sectarian hatred or political propaganda. “We should disregard those who are twisting what was said to instigate us against one another,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria’s current challenge is not the remarks of a foreign leader but the failure of local authorities to guarantee safety and justice for all citizens, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
“What we want,” he said firmly, “is freedom for all to practice our faith, whether we are Christians, Muslims, or free thinkers.”
Hayab noted that the killings in parts of northern Nigeria — whether in Plateau, Kaduna, or Benue — have long gone beyond religion. Many of the victims, he said, include Muslims and other citizens caught up in banditry and insurgency. He urged Nigerians not to allow extremists to define their collective identity.
The cleric’s intervention represents one of the strongest attempts yet by a major religious body to calm the storm generated by Trump’s statement. While some Christian groups initially interpreted the comment as validation of their long-standing complaints about persecution, others viewed it as a dangerous intrusion into Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Rev. Hayab sought a middle ground, saying the real issue is not who made the statement but how Nigerians respond to the truth it highlights — that too many lives have been lost to senseless violence.
“Trump’s comment should challenge us to prove that unity, not division, defines who we are as a nation,” he said.
He also questioned why some politicians were quick to see the statement as an attack on Nigeria. “He said his military would come after the terrorists, not Nigerians. Or are some people admitting that they are part of the terrorists?” Hayab asked pointedly.
Nigeria has struggled for more than a decade with insecurity linked to extremist groups such as Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and various armed militias. Many of their attacks have targeted both Christian and Muslim communities, destroying places of worship and displacing thousands of people.
The crisis has often been misrepresented as a purely religious conflict, though experts say the violence is more complex — involving politics, poverty, ethnicity, and weak governance.
The United States and other international partners have in the past expressed concern over human rights abuses and the slow pace of justice for victims. Trump’s latest statement revived global attention on Nigeria’s security crisis, even though he is no longer in office.
Analysts say such remarks, while controversial, often pressure governments to take action or reassure the world of their commitment to protecting citizens.
Reverend Hayab urged both Christian and Muslim leaders to use this moment to demonstrate maturity and leadership by preaching peace rather than resentment.
“Our message as CAN is clear: this should not be another opportunity for hate speech or blame games,” he said. “Instead, we must show the world that Nigerians are capable of uniting against violence and extremism.”
He appealed to security agencies to redouble efforts to secure communities and prosecute those responsible for killings, kidnappings, and destruction of property. “Government must not wait for foreigners to remind us of our duty to protect life and property,” he added.
Hayab reminded Nigerians that building peace requires joint effort. He encouraged religious bodies, community organisations, and political leaders to collaborate in promoting tolerance and interfaith dialogue.
“When people of faith stand together, they deny terrorists the power to divide us,” he said. “The fight against terror is not for Christians alone or Muslims alone — it is for all of us.”
He also commended Nigerians who continue to advocate for peaceful coexistence despite provocations. “Our faith should make us more loving and tolerant, not suspicious or hateful,” he concluded.
Nigeria has a long history of religious and ethnic conflicts, particularly in the north where the population is almost evenly split between Muslims and Christians. Over the years, clashes between farmers and herders, banditry, and terrorist attacks have worsened distrust between communities.
The Christian Association of Nigeria, founded in 1976, represents various Christian denominations across the country and often speaks on issues of national concern, especially where faith and security intersect.
In the past, CAN has accused successive governments of failing to protect Christian communities in parts of the country. However, it has also condemned revenge attacks and called for justice for Muslim victims of violence.
Reverend Hayab himself is a long-time advocate for interfaith harmony. As a former spokesperson of the Northern CAN, he has led several initiatives bringing Muslim and Christian youths together for peace campaigns.
His latest statement therefore fits into a broader effort to de-escalate tension following Trump’s controversial comments.
While Trump’s words have stirred debate, the message from Nigeria’s religious leaders is clear: the country must not be drawn into further division. Instead, the focus should shift to protecting lives, enforcing justice, and rebuilding trust among citizens.
For CAN, this moment offers a test of leadership — a chance for Nigerians to show the world that despite political or religious differences, they can stand together in defence of peace.
As Rev. Hayab put it, “No outsider will fix our problems for us. We must decide that every Nigerian life matters, whether Christian or Muslim, rich or poor. Only then can we say we have truly understood the meaning of unity.”
