Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has clarified that terrorist groups and bandits operating in Nigeria do not exclusively target Christians, but attack both Muslims and Christians indiscriminately.
The lawmaker made the statement in reaction to comments by U.S. political commentator Bill Maher, who recently claimed that Christians in Nigeria are being “slaughtered” by Muslims. Sani rejected the description as misleading and one-sided, arguing that it does not reflect the complex realities of insecurity in the country.
In a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter), Sani stressed that armed groups do not draw religious boundaries when carrying out their violence. According to him, terrorists have struck both churches and mosques, leaving behind casualties that include priests, pastors, imams, and worshippers from both faiths.
“Bandits and terrorists in Nigeria don’t discriminate between Muslims and Christians. They attack churches, mosques, and innocent people from all faiths.”
He further explained that beyond places of worship, innocent Nigerians from all religious and ethnic backgrounds have suffered kidnappings, sexual violence, and other atrocities. Sani pointed out that a significant portion of the victims are Muslims, particularly because many of these criminal activities take place in predominantly Muslim-populated northern regions.
The senator’s remarks underscore the complexity of Nigeria’s security crisis, which has often been framed by external commentators in religious terms. Analysts say Sani’s intervention is important in reminding the global audience that the violence stems from criminality, poverty, and governance failures, rather than an outright religious war.
Over the years, data from conflict-monitoring organizations has shown that both Christian and Muslim communities have been devastated by terrorism. Attacks on villages in Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, Kaduna, and Borno States have affected people indiscriminately, often displacing entire communities regardless of their faith.
Sani urged Nigerians and the international community to rely on credible local reports and verified data, rather than narratives that fuel division or present a simplified version of events. He emphasized that framing the crisis as one religion against another risks deepening mistrust among communities that already face enormous challenges.
His statement comes at a time when insecurity remains a major threat across Nigeria, with banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency continuing to affect lives and livelihoods. By calling for balanced reporting, Sani hopes to prevent the spread of misconceptions that could further inflame tensions.
Add comment
Comments