Abuja: Bishop Stephen Adegbite, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), has refuted recent claims that violence in Nigeria amounts to a ‘genocide against Christians.’ Adegbite clarified that the ongoing crisis in Nigeria is rooted in terrorism, banditry, and criminality, rather than a religious war.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Bishop Adegbite addressed a news briefing in Abuja, emphasizing the importance of accurate representation of Nigeria’s complex security challenges. He appreciated global concern, particularly from Donald Trump, the President of the United States, regarding the safety of Christians, but warned against framing the issue as a religious conflict. Adegbite stated, “Christians have suffered deeply, but so have Muslims. There is no doubt that Christian communities across Nigeria have endured terrible suffering. Churches have been attacked, pastors kidnapped, and families displaced by terrorists and bandits. But Muslim communities have also suffered immensely.”
He further elaborated on the impact of insurgent groups like Boko Haram and ISIL, particularly in the Middle East and the North-East of Nigeria, where both Christian and Muslim communities have suffered significant losses. Adegbite cited data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), which recorded more than 20,000 civilian deaths across Nigeria between 2020 and 2025. Additional research from the Observatory of Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA) reported 55,910 deaths in 9,970 deadly attacks between October 2019 and September 2023, affecting both Christians and Muslims.
The bishop highlighted the importance of national unity and collaboration between religious communities, praising the efforts of the Nigerian Inter-religious Council (NIREC) in promoting dialogue, unity, and peacebuilding. “Terrorism has no religion, and banditry has no faith. When one community suffers, the entire nation bleeds,” Adegbite stated.
He also addressed the role of international observers and foreign nations, urging them to support Nigeria through partnerships, intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism training, and humanitarian aid, rather than threats of military intervention. Adegbite warned against foreign interventions based on misconceptions, which could destabilize the West African sub-region and trigger a refugee crisis, economic collapse, and extremist resurgence.
In his remarks, Adegbite emphasized Nigeria’s status as a multi-ethnic democracy with a diverse population, including the largest Christian and Muslim communities in Africa. He criticized the portrayal of Nigeria’s crisis as a religious war, urging international figures and observers to rely on verified facts and support initiatives that promote healing, justice, and peace.
Adegbite concluded by urging Nigerian leaders to intensify security operations, strengthen the justice system, and ensure that every Nigerian can live and worship freely. Drawing on religious texts, he expressed hope and faith in divine protection for Nigeria, affirming the nation’s commitment to peace and unity.