Islamic group condemns ‘misinformation’ on Nigeria’s security crisis, calls for cleric’s prosecution
By Kunle Sanni
A prominent Islamic organization has condemned a Nigerian Catholic priest’s testimony before the U.S. Congress, accusing him of spreading false and inflammatory narratives about Nigeria’s security crisis.
The group described the cleric’s claims as reckless and misleading, warning that such rhetoric could fuel religious tensions in the country.
The priest alleged that “2% of Fulani Islamists have taken over lands occupied by 98% Christians,” suggesting that the Nigerian government was complicit in the crisis. The organization refuted these claims, noting that the Governor of Benue State, himself a Catholic priest, holds power, contradicting the cleric’s assertions of a systemic anti-Christian conspiracy.
“These accusations are not only baseless but dangerous,” the group stated. “They imply that even Christian leaders in government are part of a so-called conspiracy, which is absurd and inflammatory.”
The organization emphasized that Nigeria’s security crisis is far more complex than religious persecution, citing reports from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), the Global Terrorism Index, and Christian organizations like the East-West Christian Association. These reports highlight that insurgency, banditry, ethnic conflicts, and organized crime affect both Christians and Muslims, rather than a singular religious group.
“There is an anti-state agenda at play, driven by multiple factors such as economic disparities, criminal activities, and insurgency. The idea that only Christians are being targeted is simply not true,” the group said.
The statement also warned against “conflict merchants” who exploit religious narratives to sow discord in Nigeria. It urged Christian leaders to distance themselves from divisive rhetoric and actively counter misinformation that could escalate tensions.
“Religious leaders have a duty to promote peace, not division. Silence in the face of misinformation is complicity, and it emboldens those who seek to destabilize Nigeria,” the group added.
