The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), alongside the Ecumenical Synods of Bishops, Archbishops, Apostles and Senior Clergy, has dismissed United States President Donald Trump’s claim that recent American military intervention ended the killing of Christians in Nigeria.
The Christian leaders described the assertion as misleading, insisting that insecurity, killings and kidnappings remain widespread across several parts of the country.
Trump had made the claim during an event in Washington, D.C., on Friday, where he said the United States had carried out military strikes in Nigeria that significantly weakened terrorist groups responsible for attacks on Christian communities.
“As you know, we recently struck Nigeria and largely ended the slaughter of great Christian populations,” the US President had said.
Reacting in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, the Chairman of CAN in the 19 Northern states and the FCT, Rev. Joseph Hayab, said only Nigerians directly affected by the violence could determine whether there had been any real improvement in security.
According to him, Trump’s remarks appeared to be based on inaccurate information.
“The right people who should tell whether Trump has succeeded should be Nigerian Christians or Northern Christians, not Trump himself. But probably he is getting his information from the wrong source,” Hayab said.
“Trump should allow the victims to make that confession, not him. The victims are the right people who can tell whether whatever he has done has yielded any success.”
Hayab acknowledged reports of recent American operations targeting terrorist elements but maintained that such actions had not brought an end to attacks on innocent Nigerians.
“The strategy Trump’s America is adopting is not good enough because after the US forces struck in Sokoto last December, they went on a long recess. They came recently again and killed some ISIS commanders, but people are still being killed here every day,” he said.
He urged the United States to provide practical assistance rather than make what he described as political claims.
“We want help, but the help shouldn’t be propaganda. It should be genuine help, not propaganda or misinformation.
“All those people who are still in bandits’ captivity in Oyo, Kwara and Kogi, what has happened? People are still in Kwara, Katsina, Borno and other states. Trump and his men can find a better story,” he added.
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Hayab stressed that while Nigeria welcomed international cooperation in tackling insecurity, such support should translate into visible improvements in the safety of citizens.
Bishops Demand Proof Of Trump’s Claims
The Ecumenical Synods of Bishops, Archbishops, Apostles and Senior Clergy also questioned Trump’s remarks, saying there was no convincing evidence that the reported US military intervention had produced the results claimed by the American President.
The International Secretary of the body, Archbishop Osazee William, said the reported operation did not amount to the level of intervention many Nigerians had hoped for.
“I don’t seem to agree with him because, in the first place, I have yet to see evidence of that claim. I think there was a kind of warning strike in Sokoto, but I didn’t see any visible killing.
“This is not the kind of intervention we were hoping and looking forward to. We are looking at a good intervention,” William said.
He also expressed concern over reports of possible diplomatic negotiations surrounding the US position on Nigeria’s security challenges, noting that while the reported operation may have sent a message to terrorist groups, it had not resolved the country’s worsening insecurity.
The bishops called for sustained collaboration between the Nigerian government and international partners to strengthen security operations, protect vulnerable communities and restore lasting peace across the country.