November 4, 2025
The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has strongly denied allegations of genocide in Nigeria, clarifying that the violence across the country stems from terrorism, banditry, and criminality rather than religion.
Executive Secretary of the NCPC, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, made this clarification during a press briefing on Monday in Abuja, stressing that claims of genocide in Nigeria distort the country’s complex security realities and could incite unnecessary division.
Adegbite expressed appreciation for international concern over the safety of Christians, particularly from U.S. President Donald Trump, but urged world leaders to avoid spreading narratives that misrepresent Nigeria’s challenges as religious persecution.
“Christians have suffered deeply, but so have Muslims. Churches have been attacked, pastors kidnapped, and families displaced by terrorists and bandits. But Muslim communities have also endured immense suffering across states like Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto, and Borno,” he said.
Citing data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), Adegbite revealed that over 20,000 civilians were killed between 2020 and 2025. He also referenced reports from the Observatory of Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA), which recorded 55,910 deaths in 9,970 violent incidents between October 2019 and September 2023, affecting both Christians and Muslims alike.
“These figures make one thing abundantly clear – there is no genocide in Nigeria. What we are facing is a national security emergency,” he stated.
The bishop praised the ongoing efforts of the Nigerian Inter Religious Council (NIREC), which fosters dialogue and collaboration between Christian and Muslim leaders to promote unity and peace.
“Terrorism has no religion, and banditry has no faith. When one community suffers, the entire nation bleeds,” Adegbite said.
He emphasised that the Nigerian government has never sanctioned violence against any faith group but continues to confront a network of extremists and criminal elements that threaten the nation’s stability.
“What Nigeria needs from the United States and its allies is partnership, intelligence sharing, and counter terrorism training – not threats or reckless foreign interventions that could worsen instability under the false narrative of genocide in Nigeria,” Adegbite said.
He warned that external interference could destabilise the entire West African sub region, citing the aftermath of similar interventions in Libya, Iraq, and Afghanistan as cautionary examples.
Adegbite described Nigeria as a diverse democracy of over 220 million people and home to Africa’s largest Christian and Muslim populations living side by side in harmony.
“When global figures describe our crisis as genocide in Nigeria, they mislead the world and risk deepening divisions within our nation,” he said.
He called on international observers and advocacy groups to rely on verified facts and support peace building efforts rather than divisive rhetoric.
Adegbite also urged Nigerian leaders to strengthen internal security, enhance the justice system, and ensure freedom of worship and protection for all citizens.
Reading from Psalm 20, he concluded with a message of faith and hope: “Nigeria will remain one indivisible nation under God. The grace of the Almighty will preserve our peace. The Prince of Peace will not abandon Nigeria.” Visit GMTNewsng for more news.
