- CAN rejected Trump’s claim that killings of Christians in Nigeria had ended
- Church leaders said insecurity, killings and kidnappings are still ongoing
- They urged the US to provide practical support instead of making misleading claims
Nigerian Christian leaders have rejected United States President Donald Trump’s claim that the US military had ended the killing of Christians in Nigeria, describing the statement as inaccurate and disconnected from the country’s security realities.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, alongside the Ecumenical Synods of Bishops, Archbishops, Apostles and Senior Clergy, said attacks, killings and abductions were still taking place across different parts of the country.
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Trump made the claim during an event in Washington on Friday, where he said recent US military operations had largely stopped attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria.
“As you know, we recently struck Nigeria and largely ended the slaughter of great Christian populations,” the US President said.
He also claimed that the intervention weakened the armed groups responsible for the violence by eliminating their top leaders.
Reacting to the statement, Northern CAN Chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab, said only Nigerians, especially those directly affected by insecurity, could determine whether there had been any real improvement.
He argued that the claim did not reflect the reality on the ground, noting that innocent Nigerians continued to lose their lives and many others remained in the custody of kidnappers.
Hayab suggested that Trump may have received inaccurate information from his advisers, describing the statement as political rather than factual.
“The people who should confirm whether the situation has improved are the victims themselves, not President Trump. Those suffering the attacks know the reality better than anyone else,” he said.
Although he acknowledged recent US operations against terrorist groups, Hayab maintained that they had not brought an end to violence in affected communities.
He urged the US government to focus on practical support that would help Nigeria tackle insecurity instead of making public claims that victims could not verify.
According to him, communities in states such as Kwara, Kogi, Katsina, Borno and Oyo are still grappling with killings and abductions.
The Ecumenical Synods of Bishops, Archbishops, Apostles and Senior Clergy also questioned Trump’s remarks, saying there was no convincing evidence that the reported US intervention had achieved the desired results.
The organisation’s International Secretary, Archbishop Osazee William, said Nigerians had expected more effective action capable of addressing the root causes of insecurity and protecting vulnerable communities.
He acknowledged reports of military action against terrorist elements but insisted that the outcome had fallen short of expectations.
William also expressed concern over reports of possible behind-the-scenes diplomatic engagements involving the United States, saying Nigerians deserved stronger efforts to address the country’s security challenges.
The bishops called for sustained local and international cooperation to combat insecurity and ensure the protection of lives and property across Nigeria.
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