Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has strongly condemned what he describes as the insensitive and cruel denial of targeted killings against Christians in Nigeria. In a statement made on November 17, 2025, the politician slammed assertions that Christians are not victims of violence as a 'monstrous mendacity'.
A Rebuttal Against Denial
Fani-Kayode, in a since-deleted post on his official X account, asserted that Christians are indeed targeted and killed in large numbers across the country. He labeled anyone who denies this reality, downplays it, or suggests otherwise as a perfidious and specious liar. However, he was quick to add a crucial dimension to the national security crisis.
'What must be clearly understood, however, is that Muslims are also targeted and killed by the same Islamist terrorists in equal numbers,' he stated. He lamented that the terrorists operating in Nigeria are killing adherents of both major religions, emphasizing that 'something needs to be done about it.'
Evidence from Recent Attacks
To bolster his argument that the violence is indiscriminate, the former minister pointed to several recent incidents. He highlighted that the 25 girls and their Principal abducted from a school in Kebbi State, where the Vice Principal was killed, were Muslims.
Similarly, he noted that the 64 people abducted in Zamfara State on a Saturday, alongside three who were killed, were also Muslims. In contrast, he cited the case of the 12 girls abducted in Kaduna State just two days prior, who were Christians. He also mentioned that soldiers recently attacked and killed in Borno State were from both Christian and Muslim faiths.
A Call for Unity and Action
Fani-Kayode described the perpetrators of these acts as 'beasts' who do not care about the faith of their victims and do not represent any genuine religion. 'They only care about the spilling of innocent blood and abduction of our people,' he declared, accusing them of seeking to terrorize civilians, indulge in barbaric carnage, and occupy land.
He vehemently rejected any suggestion of granting amnesty to these terrorists, stating there is 'too much blood on their hands.' His proposed solution was a firm and ruthless military response. 'The Federal Government and Armed Forces must muster the courage, means, resources and firm resolve to crush them ruthlessly,' he urged.
Crucially, Fani-Kayode warned against spinning the crisis into a Christian versus Muslim narrative or supporting the idea of a foreign invasion, which he believes would worsen the situation. He called for national unity, urging Nigerians to remain strong, focused, and to stand shoulder to shoulder against the common enemy. He concluded by stressing the importance of supporting the Federal Government's efforts to end the violence.
