Following recent claims of a Christian genocide and threats by the U.S. government to intervene to quell those alleged persecutions, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued a statement rejecting assertions that a religious genocide is occurring in Nigeria.
In the statement, ECOWAS reiterated that terrorist attacks have plagued the nation for years and are not motivated by religion. The organization said the attacks indiscriminately target civilians of all faiths and backgrounds.
“ECOWAS wishes to draw the attention of partners and the international community to the growing level of violence that terrorist groups of different affiliations have perpetrated in some countries in the West African region, including Nigeria,” the statement read.
“Independent reports over the years have confirmed that terrorist-related violence does not discriminate on the basis of gender, religion, ethnicity or age.
“ECOWAS calls on the United Nations and all partners to support member states in their fight against these groups and to treat as false any claims that these terrorist groups target one group, or that there is a genocide of one religious group in the region,” the statement added. “ECOWAS strongly rejects these false and dangerous claims that seek to deepen insecurity in communities and weaken social cohesion in the region.”
The statement came after U.S. President Donald Trump posted comments on Truth Social about attacks on Christians and said little was being done. He vowed possible military action if the Nigerian government did not resolve the issue.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” he wrote. “I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet.”
As of now, there is no confirmation that U.S. military forces will intervene. Many view the post as a wake-up call for the Nigerian government to take insecurity seriously and to intensify efforts to stop terrorist attacks. Others warn that foreign military intervention could deepen instability and trigger severe economic and humanitarian consequences similar to what some countries experienced after outside interference.
The international community and Nigerian authorities must focus on verified facts, coordinated counterterrorism efforts and the protection of all civilians. Citizens should demand transparent reporting and concrete plans to tackle insecurity not sensational claims that inflame tensions.
