Genocide: Nigerian muslims also suffer violence, not just christians – Vatican Cardinal

Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, has dismissed the notion that Nigeria’s insecurity crisis is primarily driven by religion, emphasizing instead that the violence stems largely from social and economic factors.

Speaking on Tuesday in Rome during the presentation of a report on religious freedom by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Parolin cautioned against oversimplifying the complex nature of Nigeria’s security challenges.

Addressing concerns over the rising reports of Christian persecution, the cardinal explained that many of the attacks often labeled as religious are actually rooted in long-standing social and economic tensions.

He said the situation was “not a religious conflict”.

“We should also recognise that many Muslims in Nigeria are themselves victims of this same intolerance,” he said.

“These are extremist groups that make no distinctions in pursuing their goals. They use violence against anyone they see as an opponent.”

At a separate launch of the ACN report in the UK parliament on the same day, John Bakeni, bishop of the Diocese of Maiduguri, said the underlying causes of violence in Nigeria are complex. He attributed them to factors such as poverty, climate change and competition for land.

However, Bakeni noted that some attacks bore a religious dimension with gunmen attacking churches, priests and other symbols of Christianity “with impunity”.

The remarks from the Catholic leaders come amid mounting concern from international lawmakers over what they have characterised as a Christian genocide in Nigeria.

But the federal government has repeatedly rejected these claims.

After meeting with President Bola Tinubu on the sidelines of the Aqaba Process meeting in Rome this month, Massad Boulos, senior adviser to US President Donald Trump for Arab and African affairs, dismissed the allegations.

Boulos said terrorists are killing more Muslims than Christians in the country.

He said the US would continue to work with Nigeria to wholly tackle insecurity.