By Abubakar Muhammadu, Bauchi
The recent claim by the U.S. President, Donald Trump, alleging that Christians are facing “genocide” in Nigeria, is not only misleading but capable of inciting religious tension and undermining the fragile peace that exists among Nigerians of diverse faiths.
Such a statement represents an act of religious segregation and an attempt to sow discord and mistrust between Muslims and Christians who have coexisted peacefully across workplaces, markets, and communities in Nigeria for decades.
A true Muslim believes in the sanctity of life and the total prohibition of bloodshed, irrespective of religion, race, or region, as enshrined in Islamic teachings. Therefore, any insinuation that Nigerian Muslims are engaged in a systematic genocide against Christians is both unfounded and dangerous.
It is unfortunate that such divisive remarks are coming from a nation that prides itself as a global superpower. Statements of this nature are expected from non-state actors or extremist groups — not from a sitting president whose words carry global influence and consequences.
Over the years, Nigeria has been battling terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping — menaces that have claimed the lives of both Muslims and Christians alike. From Boko Haram insurgency to farmer–herder conflicts and bandit attacks, no group has been spared. Terrorism is terrorism — an evil that recognizes no religion, ethnicity, or region.
The core of Nigeria’s security challenges lies in poor governance, injustice, and corruption, not religious differences. True Islamic leaders and scholars have consistently condemned the activities of Boko Haram and similar extremist groups, declaring their actions un-Islamic and ungodly. No genuine Muslim will attack a mosque, a church, or a marketplace filled with innocent people.
President Trump’s assertion and his alleged consideration of military action against Nigeria pose a serious diplomatic threat and challenge to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. It demands renewed commitment to strengthening the nation’s security architecture and protecting all citizens regardless of faith.
The federal government must intensify efforts through better-equipped armed forces, intelligence sharing, and the deployment of modern technology to combat insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping. Security personnel must be adequately trained, motivated, and equipped with sophisticated weapons to eliminate all forms of terrorism and restore lasting peace.
To my fellow compatriots — both Muslims and Christians — we must not be swayed by divisive foreign narratives. Celebrating or endorsing such statements is hazardous to our national unity. Injury to one Nigerian is injury to all.
Let us uphold our cherished national values of peace and unity. Our togetherness is our real superpower — stronger than any external influence or foreign intervention. Nigeria remains a nation of brothers and sisters bound by shared destiny, respect, and mutual coexistence.
This is a wake-up call for all Nigerians. Let us act wisely, maintain peace, and defend our unity against those who seek to divide us.
Abubakar Muhammadu, Journalist writes from Bauchi
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