By Princess G. Fraser
MFR. The National Patriots/
Headlinenews.news Investigative Desk
U.S. Presidential Adviser for Arab and African Affairs, Massad Boulus, has debunked claims of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, saying terrorism “knows no colour or religion.” He stressed that both Christians and Muslims have fallen victim to the same criminals and extremist groups exploiting weak governance. Supporting his statement, Dr. Gloria Fraser MFR, President of the National Patriots, urged the media to “stop weaponising faith to divide Nigerians.” Analysts note that the violence is driven by banditry and resource conflicts, not religion.
The growing controversy over allegations of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria has taken a new turn after Massad Boulus, the United States Presidential Adviser for Arab and African Affairs, publicly dismissed such claims as false and misleading.
In a now-viral video, Boulus stated unequivocally that terrorism in Nigeria affects both Christians and Muslims and that framing it as a religious war is factually wrong and dangerously divisive.
“Terrorism knows no colour or religion” — Massad Boulus
Speaking on U.S. foreign-policy challenges in Africa, Massad Boulus said:
“There is no Christian genocide in Nigeria. The truth is that terrorism knows no colour, no tribe, and no religion. Many Muslims have also been killed by the same bandits and terror groups. Violence in Nigeria is driven by criminals and extremists exploiting weak governance, not by faith.”
His remarks directly counter earlier narratives by certain Western lawmakers and advocacy groups who have accused Nigeria’s government of permitting or sponsoring mass killings of Christians.
Boulus emphasised that such mischaracterisations distort reality and undermine genuine counter-terrorism cooperation between Washington and Abuja.
Background: The false genocide narrative
The U.S. statement comes weeks after Senator Ted Cruz and other American politicians introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act (2025), alleging systematic persecution of Christians.
However, data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) and Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ) show that both Muslims and Christians have been victims of terrorism, banditry, and communal violence — often in overlapping regions.
Security experts have repeatedly explained that Nigeria’s violence stems from criminal networks, land conflicts, insurgency spill-overs, and resource competition, not a religious cleansing campaign.
As Boulus pointed out, the misuse of the term “genocide” risks fuelling sectarian hatred and sabotaging Nigeria’s unity.
Nigerian voices call for responsible reporting
Reacting to the development, Dr. Gloria Fraser MFR, President of the National Patriots, praised Boulus’s balanced position and urged local and international media to exercise restraint:
“Mr. Boulus has simply told the truth many have refused to hear — that Nigeria’s challenges are complex, not religious. We must stop weaponising faith to divide the people. The media owes Nigerians the duty of accuracy, not alarm. When you label every tragedy as genocide, you feed extremism and hurt the victims twice.”
Dr. Fraser added that the National Patriots stands firmly behind the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Tinubu administration, which she described as “focused on stabilising the country through reforms, collaboration, and justice for all communities, regardless of faith.”
The danger of false narratives
Officials within Nigeria’s Ministry of Information also warn that such exaggerated claims often serve political ends — both domestically and abroad.
Analysts note that sensational reports about “Christian genocide” have been exploited by opposition figures to create fear and by foreign lobby groups to influence U.S. policy.
“It is unfortunate when global platforms amplify unverified stories that can incite divisions inside Nigeria,” one senior defence source told Headlinenews.news.
“The truth is: terrorism has destroyed mosques, churches, markets and schools alike. Bandits do not check a person’s religion before pulling the trigger.”
Understanding the reality
Boko Haram, ISWAP, and armed bandits have killed thousands of Nigerians across ethnic and religious lines.
North-West and North-Central zones — largely Muslim areas — have borne some of the deadliest attacks in recent years.
Churches and mosques have both been attacked, underscoring that extremists target symbols of community life rather than one specific religion.
The DHQ maintains that there is no evidence of a religious genocide, and the government continues to prosecute terrorists and bandits under Nigerian law.
Headlinenews.news calls for truth-based reporting and patriotic journalism.
International commentators must resist the temptation to interpret Nigeria’s insecurity through the lens of religion. The country’s fight against terrorism requires unity, clarity, and cooperation — not imported divisions.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief, remains firmly in charge of national security operations and continues to strengthen collaboration with regional and international partners to restore peace and rebuild affected communities.
Conclusion
Massad Boulus’s statement reinforces what many Nigerian analysts have long said: there is no Christian genocide in Nigeria.
The victims of terrorism come from all faiths, and the path forward lies in national solidarity, not religious blame.
As Dr. Gloria Fraser MFR aptly put it:
“Nigeria will overcome terrorism not through propaganda or panic, but through unity, truth, and justice. The enemies of peace are not Christians or Muslims — they are criminals, and we must confront them together ”
Nigeria is and remains a secular State.
The National Patriots
Headlinenews.news Special Investigative Report.
