The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has accused the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and its agents of spreading false narratives about alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, warning that such claims are part of a calculated plot to destabilise the country and tarnish its image globally.
In a statement signed by its Deputy National Legal Adviser, Imam Haroun Muhammad Eze, and dated October 10, 2025, the Council condemned what it described as “baseless allegations” circulating on international media platforms that the Nigerian government is aiding a “genocidal campaign” against Christians.
The Council expressed disappointment that while several government agencies and patriotic citizens had risen to refute the claims, the Federal Government failed to “call a spade a spade” by naming the local sources of the misinformation allegedly emanating from elements within CAN.
“The negative profiling that Nigeria currently suffers around the world is largely the aftermath of the activities of some Nigerian citizens—now revealed as agents of CAN—who have found big business in self-flagellation,” the NSCIA said.
“These elements engage in activities that verge on treason for material gain and international recognition.
The Council alleged that some “political desperadoes and religious irredentists” were trying to plunge Nigeria into a religious conflict, recalling a leaked audio during the 2023 presidential election in which a candidate described the poll as a “religious war.”
According to the NSCIA, such divisive rhetoric and false persecution narratives were meant to delegitimise the government and attract international sympathy and funding under the guise of religious victimhood.
Citing the 2023 U.S. State Department’s Report on International Religious Freedom, the Council maintained that terrorists and bandits have been attacking both Muslims and Christians indiscriminately, noting that more than 2,200 civilians were killed in the first half of 2025 across predominantly Muslim communities in northern Nigeria.
“It is plainly mendacious to claim that terrorist groups target Christians alone,” the Council said.
“Even the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) acknowledges that both faiths suffer attacks.”
The NSCIA accused some CAN officials, including Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe of Makurdi Diocese and Rev. Joseph Hayab, the Kaduna State CAN Chairman, of making “odious and false statements” before international audiences to portray Nigeria as a hostile state to Christians.
It expressed dismay that the Federal Government did not condemn such statements and faulted a national television station for granting airtime to Hayab “to restate false narratives” despite government efforts to counter misinformation.
The Council, however, praised a section of CAN leadership for admitting that insurgency affects all Nigerians regardless of faith, citing remarks by the association’s Director of National Issues and Social Welfare, who said attacks do not discriminate between Christians and Muslims.
Despite that, the NSCIA said it was “extremely disappointed” by recent remarks credited to the CAN President, claiming they confirmed that the campaign of falsehood was being orchestrated from within CAN itself.
“When the Chiefs of Defence and Army were Muslims, CAN accused them of complicity. Now that almost all service chiefs are Christians, new culprits have been invented to malign Islam,” the statement read.
The Council also alleged that some government institutions were indirectly aiding religious division, citing a recent circular by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) prohibiting co-insurance between conventional insurers and Takaful operators.
It described the directive as “discriminatory and contrary to international best practices.”
On the political front, the NSCIA claimed that the Christian community currently enjoys “disproportionate dominance” in government appointments, referencing a May 2025 statement from the Presidency indicating that 62 percent of federal appointees were Christians.
“It is obvious that propaganda around the Muslim/Muslim ticket has been weaponised to blackmail and extort the federal government to the detriment of Muslims,” the Council added.
While affirming its commitment to Nigeria’s unity, the NSCIA said it has chosen restraint in responding to provocative statements to safeguard national cohesion.
“Council strongly believes in one and indivisible Nigeria and shall continue to work to preserve this ideal even in the face of the greatest provocation,” the statement concluded.
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