Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Secretary General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has clarified that the ongoing violence in Nigeria is not targeted at Christians alone, emphasizing that Muslims and people of other faiths are equally affected.
“The overwhelming driver of violence in Nigeria is not anti-Christian persecution, as Muslims and people of other faiths are also overwhelmingly affected,” Oloyede said.
He addressed recent statements by former U.S. President Donald Trump and Senator Ted Cruz, who attributed attacks to radical Islamist groups. “While President Trump and Senator Cruz name radical Islamists and Islamist jihadists as the culprits ISWAP & Boko Haram,” Oloyede remarked.
Oloyede explained that these groups are extremists whose ideology targets even fellow Muslims who do not align with their beliefs. “The fact is that these groups are deviants whose ideology declares Muslims who do not join them as dissident,” he said.
He stressed that labeling the violence as anti-Christian can misrepresent the true nature of Nigeria’s security challenges and may lead to misguided policies or international interventions. Oloyede emphasized the need to understand the ideological motivations of violent groups to address the root causes effectively.
“Mischaracterizing the violence obscures the real drivers and undermines efforts to protect all citizens, regardless of faith,” he added.
Oloyede’s remarks underline the NSCIA’s stance that Nigeria’s crisis is a national security issue, driven by extremist ideologies, rather than a religious war. He urged the international community to base their analyses on facts and not sensational claims, while calling on all Nigerians to remain united in the face of insurgency and terrorism.
Through his statement, Oloyede reinforced that combating extremist groups requires nuanced understanding, collaboration, and a focus on national security rather than religious division.
