The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) on Saturday declared its support for United States President Donald Trump’s statement alleging that Christians are being systematically targeted and killed in Nigeria.
Speaking during the National Youth Fellowship Convention held in Abuja, the National Secretary of YOWICAN, Elijah Bako, described Trump’s proposed intervention as a timely “wake-up call” to Nigerian authorities rather than an attack on national sovereignty.
In attendance were zonal and state youth leaders of CAN from Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, and the North-East.
Trump had, on his Truth Social platform, warned that the United States might go “guns-a-blazing” if the alleged killings of Christians continued.
Bako lamented that the wave of killings, kidnappings, church burnings, and forced displacement of Christian communities in parts of the North and Middle Belt had reached a “breaking point.”
Quoting the 1999 Constitution, he reminded political leaders that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” insisting that the situation on the ground suggests otherwise.
“Killings, kidnappings, and destruction of communities have become daily occurrences while those responsible walk freely. Despite overwhelming evidence of targeted attacks against Christian communities, the government’s action remains weak or nonexistent,” Bako said.
He further stated that Trump’s comments on terrorism and genocide in Nigeria should prompt reflection among Nigerian leaders rather than defensive reactions.
According to him, attacks in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Taraba, and Adamawa states are not random but “part of a deliberate pattern to erase Christian presence from the region.”
Bako also referenced the ordeals of Leah Sharibu and Deborah Samuel, describing them as national symbols of endurance in the face of persecution.
“Our call is simple: Let there be justice, let there be peace, and let Nigeria rise again as a nation where faith is not a crime and human life is sacred,” he declared.
The statement came just days after former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, also backed Trump’s warning, saying the former U.S. president merely highlighted a crisis that has claimed thousands of Nigerian lives.
In his statement titled “Alleged Genocide: My Stance On President Trump’s Statement,” Dickson stressed that while Nigeria’s sovereignty must be respected, global cooperation is essential to tackle extremist violence.
He recalled that Boko Haram, ISWAP, and allied terrorist groups have wreaked havoc for almost 15 years, affecting people of different religions and ethnic backgrounds.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu on Thursday said his administration was already engaging world leaders diplomatically over Trump’s remarks, assuring Nigerians that the government would not allow external actors to undermine national decisions.
Speaking at the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja after swearing in two new ministers, Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to ending terrorism in the country.
“We assure all of you that we will defeat terrorism in this country,” Tinubu said, adding that Nigeria is moving toward greater stability and economic recovery.
His remarks followed reactions from some Northern groups who dismissed calls by U.S. conservatives to abolish Sharia law, insisting that cultural and religious autonomy must be respected.