Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the FCT, Reverend John Joseph Hayab, has described the Christian killings in Nigeria as genocide. He said denying the persecution of Christians is unjust to victims and their families.
He called on Nigerians to embrace dialogue and admit the problem as the first step toward lasting peace.
Global Reactions to Christian Killings in Nigeria
Speaking on ARISE News on Wednesday, Reverend Hayab reacted to comments by US President Donald Trump, who expressed concern over the killings of Christians in Nigeria.
He said global leaders have raised alarms, but Nigerian authorities must acknowledge that religiously motivated attacks began long before Boko Haram.
“Yes, what has been happening amounts to genocide against Christians,” Reverend Hayab declared. “Some people deny it or call it farmers-herders conflict. But those of us who have buried victims know the truth.”
Historical Roots of Christian Killings in Northern Nigeria
Hayab recalled earlier crises that targeted Christians, such as the 2000 Sharia riots in Kaduna and the 2002 Miss World protests, which left hundreds dead.
“I personally conducted many of the burials,” he said, describing how pastors were killed and churches burnt across the region.
Discrimination Beyond Christian Killings
Hayab said that discrimination against Christians goes beyond physical violence.
“Our children struggle to gain admission into some universities, not because they aren’t qualified but because they are Christians,” he said. “In many schools, students worship in classrooms since no chapels exist for them.”
CAN Chairman Calls for Acknowledgment and Action
He urged both government and citizens to first admit the truth.
“Once we acknowledge that Christians were killed, we can begin to correct it. Denying it only prolongs our pain,” he stated.
How Extremism Fuels Christian Killings in Nigeria
When asked about the roots of extremism, Hayab traced it to the 1970s Maitatsine uprising.
“At that time, people didn’t use the word terrorism, but what Maitatsine did was exactly that,” he said.
He added that Boko Haram only institutionalized such ideology. “They believe anyone who doesn’t follow their version of Islam is an infidel. Their creed is Islam and Islam alone,” Hayab said.
Religious Intolerance Still Shapes Nigeria’s Politics
He also recalled divisive statements from past religious leaders in the 1980s.
“One leader publicly declared that a Christian could not lead him, and a woman could not lead either,” he said. “Such teachings fueled intolerance and still shape our politics today.”
