Concerned civil society groups have urged Nigerians to avoid fueling religious or ethnic hostility as reactions intensify over the alleged threat by U.S. President Donald Trump to invade the country on claims of Christian persecution.
The reported comments by Trump have continued to spark heated debates nationwide, prompting warnings from advocacy groups about the dangers of divisive rhetoric.
At a press briefing in Lagos on Monday, the Convener of the coalition, Mr. Declan Ihekaire, expressed concern that many citizens were making inflammatory statements capable of worsening the country’s fragile security situation.
“What is non-negotiable in all of this is the need to safeguard Nigeria’s unity. We strongly reject the narrative suggesting that insecurity in the country is solely targeted at Christians. Such claims are reckless, misleading, and designed to create religious animosity,” he said.
Ihekaire stressed that insecurity affects all Nigerians irrespective of faith or ethnicity, noting that the nation’s challenges must be addressed collaboratively and without prejudice.
According to him, Nigeria must not allow itself to become a battleground for global political interests.
He added that while some attackers target Christian-majority areas, these assaults are not driven by religion but by a broader attempt to sow mistrust, deepen sectarian divides, and destabilise the nation.
He also noted that several Muslim-dominated communities in the North have suffered similar large-scale attacks, with many lives lost and thousands displaced.
He further highlighted that despite sustained government efforts, the country continues to battle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.
“President Bola Tinubu met a weakened security framework burdened by long-standing insurgency, under-resourced institutions, and porous borders. These issues did not begin today, nor were they created by this administration.
“It is misleading and politically charged for anyone—local or foreign—to claim that the current violence only started recently or is the result of inaction by the present government,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr. Gbenga Soloki stressed the importance of identifying and prosecuting those who finance terrorism. He urged political leaders to support the Federal Government and security agencies, noting that no country defeats insecurity overnight.
In his remarks, Mr. Femi Lawson, National Secretary of the Campaign for Democracy, applauded recent reforms by the Ministry of Interior aimed at strengthening border security, improving identity management systems, and enhancing data integration to curb criminal networks.
According to him, these initiatives reflect the modern security approach Nigeria urgently needs to adopt.