Chuks Okocha in Abuja
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, alongside the Ecumenical Synods of Bishops, Archbishops, Apostles and Senior Clergy, has rejected claims by United States President, Donald Trump, that the US military had ended the killing of Christians in Nigeria.
The Christian leaders described the statement as misleading and inconsistent with the security realities in the country, insisting that killings, abductions and other violent attacks were still occurring across several states.
Trump had, during an event in Washington on Friday, claimed that recent US military action in Nigeria had largely ended attacks on Christian communities affected by insurgency and extremist violence.
According to him, the intervention dealt a major blow to the perpetrators by eliminating their top commanders and deterring further attacks.
Reacting, the Chairman of CAN in the 19 Northern states and the FCT, Rev. Joseph Hayab, said only Nigerians, particularly victims of insecurity, could determine whether there had been any meaningful improvement in the country’s security situation.
He argued that the US President’s remarks were based on inaccurate information, noting that innocent Nigerians, regardless of religion, continued to face attacks by terrorists and bandits.
“The right people to say whether Trump’s intervention has made a difference are the victims themselves, not Trump. Nigerians are still being killed and abducted across different parts of the country,” Hayab said.
While acknowledging that US operations had targeted terrorist elements in the past, Hayab maintained that such actions had not ended the violence affecting communities.
He urged the United States to provide practical support in tackling insecurity instead of making what he described as political claims.
“We want genuine assistance that will help end the killings, not propaganda or misinformation. People are still being held captive and communities are still under attack,” he added.
Also speaking, the International Secretary of the Ecumenical Synods of Bishops, Archbishops, Apostles and Senior Clergy, Archbishop Osazee William, said there was no convincing evidence that the reported US intervention had achieved the results claimed by Trump.
William said the intervention fell short of expectations, adding that Nigerians were looking forward to more effective efforts capable of addressing the root causes of insecurity and protecting vulnerable communities.
He also expressed concern over reports of possible behind-the-scenes negotiations involving the US administration, saying the reported military action had not produced the level of impact expected.
The Christian leaders called on both the Nigerian government and the international community to intensify efforts to address insecurity and ensure the protection of lives and property across the country.