NSCIA Faults Christian Genocide Allegations, Blames CAN-affliated “Citizens”

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), the apex Islamic authority of Nigerian Muslims, on Friday expressed deep concern over recent allegations from the U.S. and Canada and circulating on international platforms and social media accusing the Nigerian government of facilitating a genocidal campaign against Christians.

NSCIA, established in 1973 and led by Sultan of Sokoto to “cater for, preserve, protect, promote and advance the interest of Islam and Muslims throughout the country,” noted that the negative profiling of Nigeria abroad is largely fueled by certain citizens allegedly affiliated with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) who “have found a big business in self-flagellation” and “engage in activities that verge on treason to achieve material gains.”

In a statement by its Deputy National Legal Adviser, Imam Haroun Muhammad Eze, NSCIA emphasized that the claims are “false, mendacious and dangerous,” warning that they risk plunging the country into a devastating religious conflict.

Commending various federal agencies, the National Assembly, and patriotic Nigerians for swiftly refuting the allegations, the Council questioned why the government failed to “call a spade a spade” by identifying the local actors behind the narrative.

According to the statement: “Council wondered why the government could not, at least for once, go the whole hog by speaking the whole truth.”

Citing a leaked audio recording from the 2023 Presidential election campaign in which a candidate allegedly declared the contest a “religious war,” NSCIA accused unnamed political and religious actors of attempting to delegitimise the current administration by projecting persecution and victimhood to foreign audiences.

Refuting claims that Christians are being exclusively targeted, the NSCIA referenced the U.S. State Department’s 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom, which noted that terrorists and bandits attack both mosques and churches indiscriminately.

It also cited data from the first half of 2025, indicating that at least 2,266 civilians were killed across Northern Nigeria, where Muslims are predominant, with over 2 million displaced and 7.8 million in need of aid.

The Council expressed disappointment that the federal government failed to condemn recent statements by Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe and Rev. Joseph Hayab, who had appealed to U.S. authorities to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.”

NSCIA also criticised a television station for giving airtime to Reverend Hayab on September 29, 2025 to “correct the errors” of the Minister of Information.

Despite the provocations, the NSCIA said it had refrained from joining issues, citing a more balanced statement from CAN’s Director of National Issues and Social Welfare: “If they open fire in a marketplace, the bullets don’t look for a Christian or spare a Muslim or even spare a baby.”

The Council also raised concerns about alleged bias in federal appointments and policies, noting that 62% of presidential appointees are Christians, despite Muslims being the majority.

It criticised the President’s recent visit to Plateau State, which included a meeting with Christian leaders but excluded Muslim representatives.

On regulatory matters, the NSCIA condemned a circular issued by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) prohibiting co-insurance between conventional insurers and Takaful Operators, describing it as a violation of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA 2025).

Reaffirming its commitment to national unity, the Council stated: “Council strongly believes in one and indivisible Nigeria, and it shall continue to work to preserve this ideal even in the face of the greatest provocation.”