The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has issued a clarifying statement on the ongoing violence affecting Christian communities across the country, particularly in northern Nigeria, amid rising national and international concern over what some have described as a “Christian genocide.”
In a press release signed by CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the Association expressed deep concern over increasing religiously-motivated violence, emphasising the suffering of Christian communities in the face of persistent insecurity.
“Many Christian communities in parts of Nigeria, especially in the North, have suffered severe attacks, loss of life, and the destruction of places of worship,” the statement read. “These realities are painful reminders of the urgent need for government and security agencies to act decisively to protect every citizen, regardless of region.”
CAN reaffirmed its longstanding efforts to document and respond to incidents of persecution, both locally and on the international stage. These efforts have included engagements with global Christian bodies such as the World Evangelical Alliance and the Lausanne Movement, formal communication with the International Criminal Court in The Hague, and the establishment of monitoring mechanisms for religiously-motivated violence within Nigeria.
While acknowledging efforts by the government and security agencies, CAN criticized what it described as repeated delays and denials in response to the targeted killings and displacement of Christians.
Religious Genocide: Nigerian government attempts push-back to growing claims
“Our concern remains that these cries for justice and protection are too often met with delay or denial,” the statement said. “The pain of Christian families torn apart by violence must never be treated as mere statistics.”
Archbishop Okoh urged authorities to take “urgent, transparent, and equitable action” to bring an end to the violence and ensure perpetrators are prosecuted under the law. He also called on Christian leaders to remain unified and wise in their response, stressing the importance of peace and national cohesion.
“Peace is too fragile to be taken for granted,” he warned, calling on all Nigerians to find the courage to face the nation’s challenges together. “Nigeria’s healing will not come from denial or blame, but from courage: the courage to face our collective failures, to grieve together, and to rebuild trust within our communities.”
FG refutes allegations of religious genocide in Nigeria, labels claims as false and divisive
The statement marks a critical moment in the national discourse surrounding religious violence, and comes as local and international observers continue to raise alarms over the deteriorating security situation in several regions of the country.
Despite firm denials of targeted killing of Christians from the federal government, international pressure is mounting over what critics describe as a systematic campaign of violence and persecution against Christians in the country.
Renowned Nigerian rights activist Aisha Yesufu reignited debate around the issue on social media, accusing political leaders of turning a blind eye to what she calls a “political genocide” targeting Northern Christians. She wondered why those who were castigating Christians for crying out over persecution would not go-ahead and do so for their own being killed, reiterating however that it was more concerning that Nigerians were being killed across board.
Her remarks comes amid growing comments by foreigners and locals over the killing and persecution of Christians. American comedian and political commentator Bill Maher, rekindled the outcry when he recently said on his show:
“I’m not a Christian, but they are systematically killing Christians in Nigeria. They’ve killed over 100,000 since 2009. They’ve burned 18,000 churches. These are the Islamists, Boko Haram.”
Reacting on X (formerly Twitter), Yesufu criticized what she sees as hypocrisy among some Nigerian political elites.
“You are shouting that Northern Christians are being persecuted, but you championed a Muslim-Muslim ticket! Their Christianity was not Christian enough for you during the 2023 election,” she wrote. “Your hypocrisy stinks to high heavens. When will you talk about the Northern Christians’ political genocide?”
U.S. Congressman Demands Action: “Nigeria Is the Deadliest Place to Be a Christian”
The controversy has now reached the highest levels of U.S. government. In a strongly worded letter dated October 6, 2025, U.S. Congressman Riley M. Moore urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to take decisive diplomatic action against Nigeria.
Moore’s letter paints a grim picture, calling Nigeria “the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian.” He urged the State Department to:
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Halt all arms sales to Nigeria
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Redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under the U.S. International Religious Freedom Act
Moore argued that the United States, as a nation “founded on biblical principles,” has a moral obligation to defend Christians worldwide.
“The U.S. cannot stand idly by while Christians are being hunted and murdered daily in Nigeria,” he wrote.
The Alarming Numbers
Citing multiple sources, Moore claimed that:
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Over 7,000 Christians have been killed in 2025 alone — averaging 35 murders per day
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At least 19,100 churches have been attacked or destroyed since 2009
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More than 15 million Nigerians have been displaced due to extremist violence
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Over 850 Christians are currently held in jihadist camps, often tortured or killed if ransoms aren’t paid
Moore referenced attacks like the Palm Sunday massacre, where 50 Christians were killed, and another incident in June where over 200 lost their lives. He also pointed to data from Open Doors, which shows that more Christians are killed in Nigeria annually than in the rest of the world combined.
Accusations Against the Nigerian Government
In a particularly scathing section, Moore accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect its Christian population — and even alleged complicity in some attacks.
According to him:
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Some northern regional governments support extremist ideologies
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Christian orphanages have been shut down
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Christian children have been forcibly reeducated in Islamic schools
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At least 600 clergy members have been targeted since 2015, including a priest murdered on Ash Wednesday
He also cited a recent Boko Haram attack on Kirawa, which displaced thousands, and alleged that corrupt elements within the Nigerian military or government may be directly involved in some of the violence.
“It’s Religious Persecution — Not Just Terrorism”
Moore criticized the Nigerian government’s tendency to frame these incidents as part of a broader terrorism issue, arguing instead that there is clear evidence of targeted religious persecution against Christians, largely driven by Islamist extremist groups such as:
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Boko Haram
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ISIS-West Africa
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Ansaru
Call for Renewed U.S. Action
Moore reminded Secretary Rubio that Nigeria was previously designated a CPC in 2020 under former President Donald Trump. That designation was reversed by President Biden’s administration in 2021 — a move Moore and others continue to oppose.
He noted that Rubio himself, while serving in the Senate, had previously called for restoring Nigeria’s CPC status, echoing recommendations from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Moore concluded his letter with a clear call to action:
“Until Nigeria’s government shows a genuine commitment to protecting its Christian citizens, the United States must suspend arms sales and reimpose diplomatic pressure. The time for strong, urgent action is now.”
