The Ongoing Crisis of Violence Against Christians in Nigeria
The National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Francis Wale Oke, has made a strong statement regarding the ongoing violence against Christian communities in the country. He has described the attacks and killings as an act of genocide, urging both local and international stakeholders to work together to address the crisis.
Bishop Oke recently addressed rumors that he had denied the existence of genocide against Christians in Nigeria during a speech at the PFN’s 40th-anniversary celebrations. He dismissed these reports as false, misleading, and malicious. “Let it be clearly stated: There is genocide against the Church and Christian communities in Nigeria. I have never said otherwise. Anyone following events in this country knows this is true,” he emphasized.
Evidence of the Crisis
To support his claim, Bishop Oke cited several tragic incidents. These include the abduction of Leah Sharibu, the kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls from a predominantly Christian community, and the Owo Catholic Church massacre. He also pointed to the ongoing killings in states such as Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Southern Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Niger.
Despite the long history of peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria, Bishop Oke highlighted that the attacks are being carried out by violent extremist groups. These include Boko Haram, ISWAP, and armed militias operating across different regions. “Hundreds of churches have been destroyed. Tens of thousands of Christians have been killed. Pastors have been targeted and murdered. Entire villages have been wiped out,” he lamented.
Humanitarian Efforts and Government Responsibility
The PFN and its partners have continued to provide humanitarian relief, sending truckloads of food and essential supplies from Lagos to several affected states. However, Bishop Oke stressed that while the current administration did not initiate the crisis, it bears the constitutional responsibility to protect all Nigerians regardless of faith or ethnicity.
In response to comments made by former U.S. President Donald Trump on Nigeria, Bishop Oke urged the international community to support rather than criticize the country. “President Trump and other friends of Nigeria should not criticize in a way that undermines our nation. Instead, they should assist us. The United States has the technology, intelligence capabilities, and training systems needed to help us defeat these extremist forces,” he said.
A Call for International Collaboration
Bishop Oke also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to strengthen diplomatic and military cooperation with the United States and other friendly nations to combat terrorism effectively. “This challenge is like cancer. We must call it by its name and confront it decisively. Nigeria needs help, and now is the time for collaborative action,” he concluded.
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