A fresh debate has emerged within Nigeria’s Christian community following comments made by the Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Abia State chapter, Reverend Blessed Amalambu. Speaking to journalists in Umuahia on Tuesday, Amalambu openly disagreed with statements credited to the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, concerning reports of genocide against Nigerian Christians.
Bishop Kukah had reportedly suggested that the level of violence and killings in the country, though serious, did not meet the internationally accepted definition of genocide. His position sparked reactions from various Christian groups who felt the statement downplayed the suffering of communities that have endured years of killings, kidnappings and destruction. Reverend Amalambu is among those who believe that the issue is far more serious than Bishop Kukah acknowledged.
According to the Abia PFN Secretary, Kukah’s remarks were “insensitive” and failed to reflect the harsh realities experienced by Christians in several parts of Nigeria. Amalambu argued that many communities have suffered continuous attacks, leaving behind destroyed homes, burnt churches and thousands of displaced families. He explained that for many Christians living in rural areas, the violence has created daily fear and uncertainty.
“The episodes of communal violence, terrorist assaults on rural communities and repeated attacks on places of worship have created a climate of fear that many believers interpret as an existential threat,” he said.
Amalambu insisted that the scale and pattern of the attacks point to a deliberate targeting of Christians. This, in his view, aligns with broader concerns raised by both local and international human rights groups over the last decade. Reports from various organisations have highlighted the growing insecurity in several northern states and the heavy toll it has taken on minority communities.
The PFN official stressed that genocide is not defined by the number of people killed alone but also by the intention behind the attacks. He argued that when villages are raided again and again, when worship centres become targets, and when entire communities are forced into displacement camps, it becomes necessary to question whether these actions are meant to wipe out a group based on its identity.
“Addressing Kukah’s assertion that the situation did not meet the threshold of genocide, Amalambu argued that the definition extends beyond numbers to include deliberate targeting of people based on identity,” he explained.
One of the major concerns raised by Reverend Amalambu is the long-standing pattern of violence in states like Borno, Plateau, Benue and Niger. Over the years, communities in these areas have been hit by terrorist groups, bandits and violent herders, leaving behind thousands of deaths and widespread displacement. Many residents have not returned to their ancestral homes due to repeated attacks.
He noted that although terrorism and banditry have affected both Christians and Muslims, the high frequency of attacks on Christian-majority communities raises serious questions that the government and security agencies must investigate. According to Amalambu, the issue should not be dismissed as random violence but examined carefully to understand the motives behind it.
In Nigeria, discussions about religious violence are often sensitive because of the country’s diverse population. With roughly equal numbers of Christians and Muslims, leaders from both faiths often stress unity and caution against statements that might deepen divisions. Bishop Kukah himself has long been known as a strong voice for peace, dialogue and national unity. However, his recent comments touched a nerve among Christians who feel their suffering is not gaining enough national attention.
For many Nigerians, especially those living in conflict-prone areas, the debate is not about academic definitions but about the realities they face daily. Across several states, churches have been burnt, priests kidnapped, and worshippers attacked during services. Families have been forced to flee their homes, abandoning farms and livelihoods. Some communities have lived in displacement camps for years with little hope of returning home.
Reverend Amalambu said these are the experiences that should guide national conversations, not technical arguments. He called on religious leaders to remain sensitive to the pain of victims and to stand together in demanding stronger action from the government.
He also urged authorities to provide more security to vulnerable communities, improve intelligence gathering and strengthen humanitarian support for the displaced. He emphasised that Nigeria must not allow any group—religious or ethnic—to feel unprotected or ignored.
As the debate continues, many Nigerians are watching to see whether the issue will push leaders to address the root causes of insecurity or whether it will deepen existing tensions within the country. What remains clear is that thousands of families, particularly in rural communities, continue to live under the threat of violence, and their cries for safety and justice remain unanswered.
