Nigerian Security Challenges Intensify With Mass Killings And Abductions Targeting Both Christians And Locals Equally

 

Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode has raised alarms over what he describes as targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria, emphasizing the urgent need for action against growing insecurity. Speaking on Tuesday, FFK responded to the recent spike in mass abductions and killings, asserting that attempts to deny the religious targeting of Christians are deliberate and misleading.

He criticized narratives suggesting that Christians are not victims, labeling such claims as “propagandist” and insisting that denying these realities amounts to enabling genocide. Fani-Kayode described assertions that Nigerians bury “empty coffins” as “a monstrous mendacity,” warning that anyone downplaying the severity of these attacks is “a perfidious propagandist, a genocide enabler, and a specious liar.” His words highlight a deep concern over the perception and reporting of violence in the country.

While stressing that all communities are affected by insecurity, Fani-Kayode acknowledged that Muslims also face lethal attacks. “What must be clearly understood, however, is that Muslims are also targeted and killed by the same terrorists in equal numbers,” he stated, underscoring that the violence is indiscriminate in its immediate human toll.

Citing specific incidents, he drew attention to recent abductions and killings across the nation. In Kebbi State, 25 schoolgirls were kidnapped and a school principal was killed, while in Tsafe, Zamfara State, 64 individuals were abducted with three confirmed deaths. These cases, he noted, involved Muslim victims. Conversely, Christian victims include a Catholic priest and 12 girls abducted in Kagarko, Kaduna State. Fani-Kayode also mentioned attacks on Army officers in Borno State, which affected both Christians and Muslims, illustrating the broad reach of the terrorist threat.

The former minister stressed that perpetrators are indifferent to the faith of their victims, caring only about inflicting violence and spreading fear. His comments coincide with recent claims from US lawmakers that Christians are being persecuted in Nigeria. While Nigerian authorities have dismissed these claims, the issue is currently under investigation by officials in the United States.

FFK’s statements come amid rising public frustration over the government’s handling of security matters. The increasing frequency of abductions and mass killings has intensified calls for more effective measures to protect citizens and hold perpetrators accountable. Fani-Kayode’s insistence on acknowledging the religious dimensions of these attacks signals growing concern over potential sectarian targeting and the importance of confronting misinformation in public discourse.

He concluded by reiterating that urgent intervention is required to prevent further loss of life and ensure security for all Nigerians, regardless of religion. His warnings underscore the complex and multi-layered nature of the security crisis, calling on government and civil society to act decisively.