Northern Groups Blast Trump's 'Dangerous' Comments on Nigeria
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has strongly condemned recent remarks by former US President Donald Trump, describing his comments about alleged "genocide against Christians" in Nigeria as reckless and provocative.
During a press briefing held yesterday in Abuja, the National Coordinator of CNG, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, stated that Trump's threats of military action against Nigeria were based on false information and could worsen sectarian tensions in the country.
Data Reveals Complex Security Reality
Charanchi presented comprehensive data challenging the religious one-sided narrative promoted by Western voices. He revealed that in 2024 alone, 9,662 people were killed in violent incidents across Nigeria, with the northern region bearing the brunt of the casualties.
The breakdown showed that 86 percent of these deaths occurred in northern Nigeria, distributed across different zones: 41% in North-West, 25.9% in North-East, and 19.3% in North-Central regions.
Citing verified statistics from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), Charanchi disclosed that between January 2020 and September 2025, more than 20,400 civilians lost their lives in violent attacks throughout Nigeria.
In incidents where religious affiliation could be confirmed, the data showed 317 Christian deaths and 417 Muslim deaths, demonstrating that both communities are suffering from the ongoing security challenges.
Foreign Manipulation and Hidden Agendas
The CNG leader accused Trump's comments of being influenced by what he called a "manipulated petition" engineered by Amnesty International through its Nigeria Country Director, Isa Sunusi. Charanchi characterized this as part of a broader campaign to justify foreign interference in Nigeria's internal affairs.
"Let us be clear: there is no genocide against Christians in Nigeria. There is a national security crisis affecting all Nigerians - Muslims, Christians, and others alike," Charanchi emphasized during the briefing.
The coalition suggested that the "Christian genocide" narrative serves geopolitical interests aimed at destabilizing Nigeria. They pointed to what they described as a pattern of Western intervention in countries like Iraq and Libya under humanitarian pretexts.
Charanchi questioned Trump's sudden concern for Nigerian Christians, suggesting it might be connected to Nigeria's growing diplomatic independence and strengthening ties with China, Russia, and other Global South nations.
Selective Outrage and Ignored Atrocities
The CNG also criticized Western countries for what they see as selective outrage, pointing to the Zaria massacre of December 2015 where over 340 members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), predominantly Shiite Muslims, were killed.
They noted the conspicuous silence from US and Western governments regarding this incident, despite documentation by human rights organizations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
Additionally, the coalition accused Western powers of ignoring violent activities by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), claiming the group has killed over 600 Northerners since 2021 through targeted attacks, road ambushes, and enforcement of illegal sit-at-home orders in the South-East.
Charanchi referenced security analyst Bulama Bukarti's October 2025 warning that Nigeria's security crisis stems from weak governance and institutional decay rather than religious conflict.
The CNG warned that failure to control Nigeria's narrative and security situation could lead to instability spreading throughout the entire Sahel region.
"The Coalition of Northern Groups will continue to stand for truth, justice, and national sovereignty. We will not remain silent while foreign powers insult our dignity, distort our reality, and play politics with our blood," Charanchi concluded.
