The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has dismissed recent allegations by foreign figures, including U.S. comedian Bill Maher and Senator Ted Cruz, describing them as misleading and harmful to Nigeria’s image. The claims, which accuse the Nigerian government of permitting a “Christian genocide,” have drawn widespread reactions from both local and international observers. Maher had alleged that over 100,000 Christians had been killed since 2009, calling the situation “a genocide attempt,” while Cruz proposed sanctions against Nigerian officials, claiming they enable the persecution of Christians.
In response, CAN’s Director of National Issues and Social Welfare, Abimbola Ayuba, acknowledged that killings are ongoing in parts of the country but firmly rejected the idea that they are religiously targeted. “The pattern of killings has truly not been in a particular pattern,” Ayuba explained. “In some Christian-dominated states, it may appear that Christians are the victims, but insurgents have also killed Muslims during morning prayers, attacked mosques, and kidnapped people indiscriminately.” He emphasized that Nigeria’s security challenges are driven by criminality, terrorism, and socio-political factors—not religious cleansing.
Ayuba also cautioned against what he described as “foreign interests taking advantage of Nigeria’s internal issues,” urging unity rather than division. “If they open fire in a marketplace, the bullets don’t look for a Christian or spare a Muslim,” he said. “We must adopt an all-of-society approach to end this insurgency instead of seeking sympathy abroad.” The Presidency has similarly dismissed the genocide claims as “false and politically motivated,” maintaining that no religious war is taking place in the country.
