PFN Declares “Christian Genocide” in Nigeria, Urges Government Action, Authorities Push Back

The President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Francis Wale Oke, has asserted that attacks on Christian communities across northern and central Nigeria constitute a “Christian genocide,” calling on the federal government to take immediate and decisive action.

Addressing journalists in Ibadan on Friday, Bishop Oke said the scale and persistence of attacks against Christians could no longer be ignored. He cited a series of violent incidents, including killings in Benue and Plateau States, unrest in Southern Kaduna, the Owo church massacre in Ondo State, and kidnappings in Taraba, among others.

“Where is Leah Sharibu? What happened to the Chibok girls? These are predominantly Christian communities in Borno State,” Bishop Oke said. “Since former U.S. President Donald Trump raised concerns about genocide in Nigeria, more people have been killed in Plateau State. Hundreds of churches have been burnt down, tens of thousands of Christians massacred, and hundreds of pastors butchered. To call it any other name would be a desecration of their memory.”

Bishop Oke emphasized that the PFN is not accusing Muslims in general, noting that Christians and Muslims have coexisted peacefully for generations. Instead, he blamed radical extremist groups such as Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and other violent factions who, in his words, “use the name of Islam to attack churches.”

He highlighted that these attacks often involve abductions, forced marriages, and attacks on religious gatherings. “Now, when Donald Trump said there is genocide against the church and Christians in Nigeria, some people are complaining. There is nothing to complain about. We should properly identify the malaise so we can deal with it effectively. You don’t call cancer a headache,” Bishop Oke said.

The PFN leader also called on President Bola Tinubu to collaborate with international partners, including Donald Trump, to address the ongoing violence. “The President must move decisively to eliminate radical groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP so that Nigerians can live in peace,” he added. 

The Nigerian Ministry of Information and National Orientation has rejected the claim of a Christian genocide, describing it as a false narrative that threatens national cohesion. Government officials maintain that while acts of terrorism and communal violence have affected Christian communities, many Muslims have also been victims, making the situation more complex than the PFN’s statements suggest.

Experts caution that the term “genocide” carries a specific legal meaning under international law. It refers to acts intended to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. While violence against Christians in Nigeria is severe and ongoing, analysts note that the evidence for a one-sided, systematic campaign targeting Christians exclusively is debated.

“While the PFN highlights a real and urgent security problem, it is important to recognize that terrorism, banditry, and herder-farmer conflicts affect multiple communities, including Muslims and Christians,” said a security analyst.

Nigeria has faced escalating violence in the last decade from radical groups and communal clashes. Boko Haram, active mainly in the northeast, has carried out bombings, abductions, and attacks on villages. ISWAP, a splinter of Boko Haram, continues to operate in the region, targeting civilians and security forces alike. Southern and central states, including Kaduna, Plateau, and Benue, have experienced intercommunal clashes, often between herders and farmers, which have contributed to high civilian casualties.

Notable attacks in recent years include:

• Chibok girls kidnapping 2014. Over 200 schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram in Borno State.

• Leah Sharibu 2018-present. A schoolgirl still in captivity for refusing to renounce her Christian faith.

• Owo Church Massacre June 2022. Scores killed during a Sunday service in Ondo State.

• Southern Kaduna and Plateau violence. Recurrent clashes between communities leading to hundreds of deaths and mass displacements.

Bishop Oke emphasized that Christians have never retaliated against Muslims in these attacks, underscoring what he described as a consistent pattern of victimhood.

PFN Call to Action

The PFN urges the federal government to:

1. Strengthen intelligence and military operations against extremist groups.

1. Ensure swift prosecution of perpetrators of religiously-motivated attacks.

1. Collaborate with international partners to prevent future violence and protect vulnerable communities.

“Properly identifying the problem is the first step to solving it. We cannot allow this violence to consume our nation and tarnish Nigeria’s image abroad,” Bishop Oke said.

The PFN’s declaration highlights the growing frustration among Christian communities over security challenges in Nigeria. While the government and analysts urge caution in labeling the violence as “genocide,” there is consensus that urgent action is required to protect citizens and restore stability in affected regions.