Nigeria’s Senate has dismissed foreign claims suggesting an ongoing Christian genocide in the country.
Lawmakers instead resolved to engage directly with the United States Congress to clarify the nation’s security realities.
The move followed a motion sponsored by Senator Ali Ndume, which sparked a heated debate on how international bodies portray Nigeria’s internal security issues.
Lawmakers argued that many foreign narratives have unfairly described the country’s complex terrorism problem as religious persecution.
The motion came after discussions in the U.S. Congress and Senate, alongside renewed calls by advocacy groups to list Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious attacks.
During the debate, senators voiced concern that such claims though sometimes based on genuine worries mislead global partners and harm Nigeria’s reputation and economy.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio suggested forming an ad hoc committee to visit Washington and hold direct talks with American lawmakers.
He stressed that quiet diplomacy and factual engagement were the best ways to correct misconceptions.
“There are false impressions that must be corrected,” Akpabio said. “We face a complex terrorist threat, not a religious war. Both Christians and Muslims suffer these attacks.”
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim called for a more knowledge-driven counterterrorism strategy, rooted in Nigeria’s local realities.
He reminded his colleagues that the approved national security summit was designed to develop practical solutions, not foreign-driven ones.
The motion also cited several examples showing that the violence cuts across faith lines. It highlighted the Plateau State attacks in July 2023 that killed more than 20 Christians.
It also referenced the Katsina and Zamfara raids in August 2023, where dozens of Muslim villagers died in bandit strikes.
In Borno and Kaduna states, lawmakers noted, terrorists have attacked both churches and mosques, killing victims from both religious groups.
These incidents, senators argued, prove that the conflict is not religious but rooted in criminality and terrorism.
Due to the sensitivity of the issue, the Senate agreed to step down the motion temporarily for further deliberation in a closed executive session.
The lawmakers are also expected to finalise the composition of the delegation that will travel to the United States.
The motion was seconded by Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), who supported the call for balanced engagement with U.S. officials to protect Nigeria’s image on the global stage.
The Senate’s resolution reflects growing frustration among Nigerian leaders over what they consider biased and inaccurate portrayals of the country’s fight against terrorism and banditry.
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