Nigerian elders warn U.S. against military action over unverified religious persecution claims

Nigerian elders warn U.S. against military action over unverified religious persecution claims

The National Patriotic Elders for Peace and Harmony in Nigeria (NPEPHN) has issued a strong warning to the United States government, urging restraint over any potential military action against Nigeria based on allegations of Christian persecution.

Speaking after a high-level meeting held in Kano on Sunday, the group, through its National President, Dr. Bature AbdulAziz, described the claims as “unverifiable” and “misleading,” arguing that terror-related violence in Nigeria affects both Christians and Muslims.

“The claim by the U.S. government that Christians are being massacred in Nigeria is false,” AbdulAziz stated. “Fact checks reveal that 75 percent of those killed from 1999 to date are Muslims, with their towns and places of worship burned down by terrorists.”

He cited the Northwestern states—Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kano, and Jigawa—as predominantly Muslim regions that have borne the brunt of terrorist attacks. Similarly, he noted that Northeastern states such as Gombe, Bauchi, Borno, and Yobe, also with Muslim majorities, have suffered extensive violence and destruction.

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Addressing the situation in North Central states like Taraba, Plateau, Adamawa, and Benue, AbdulAziz explained that while these areas have significant Christian populations, the violence there is largely rooted in farmer-herder conflicts, with casualties on both sides.

“It is surprising that the U.S. government would accept this false narrative without verifying it through credible intelligence sources,” he said.

The group also speculated that geopolitical factors may be influencing the U.S. stance, suggesting that Nigeria’s support for the Palestine-Israel two-state solution at the United Nations or its growing ties with France and other nations could be contributing to the tension.

Dr. AbdulAziz reminded President Donald Trump of Nigeria’s longstanding role in global peacekeeping and democratic promotion across Africa. He warned that any military action against Nigeria could destabilize multiple African nations that rely heavily on Nigeria for regional stability.

“Any attack on Nigeria by the U.S. government would result in the destruction of several African nations,” he cautioned.

The group concluded by commending President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Defence, and the National Security Adviser for their ongoing efforts to address insecurity across the country.

Nigerian elders warn U.S. against military action over unverified religious persecution claims