The group accused the Nigerian government of deploying “propaganda” to counter global concern about insecurity, insisting that Christians remain the main victims of terrorist attacks.
The Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria has issued a strongly worded appeal to the White House, calling on the President of the United States, Donald Trump, to take urgent military and diplomatic action in response to what it describes as a “Christian genocide” unfolding in Nigeria.
In an open letter addressed to the U.S. President and signed by the coalition’s Global Coordinator, Comrade Frederick Odorige, the group said its organisation, “registered in the US by Nigerians in diaspora for the support and promotion of security and democracy in Nigeria,” fully supports America’s recent designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and its stated intention to confront terrorist groups operating across the country.
A copy of the letter was sent to Mr Brian Mast, Chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority
The group accused the Nigerian government of deploying “propaganda” to counter global concern about insecurity, insisting that Christians remain the main victims of terrorist attacks.
It stated: “Though the terrorists are killing and kidnapping people from diverse religious backgrounds, Christians are the main targets in the north and middle belt to violently grab land and to establish an Islamic state. Now, the Islamic terrorists have quickly moved to the Southern regions which are predominantly Christian.”
The coalition further argued that Nigerian political and religious leaders have failed to curb the violence, claiming: “Since the killing of Muslims and others in the past 15 years, Muslim leaders who are mostly in the northern region of the country, have deliberately refused to take concrete actions to end the criminality. This connivance cannot be disputed as the same people unite to discuss other issues such as tax reforms.”
It welcomed the recent listing of Nigeria by Pope Leo XIV as a country where Christians face severe discrimination, describing it as “true, indisputable and a diplomatic understatement.”
According to the letter, attempts by Nigerian officials and regional bodies to downplay the crisis amount to “renewed propaganda,” adding: “This is a government that has travelled multiple times abroad with the story of seeking foreign investors but deliberately refused to call for foreign help to fight terrorism in a country where our people now pay taxes to terrorists in various local government areas.”
The group also criticised Vice President Kashim Shettima, recalling his campaign promise to lead the fight against terrorism personally. “Since their resumption in office between May 2023 till date, Shettima has remained silent on his promised lies. Since then, at least 14,000 Nigerians have been killed,” it wrote, while also referencing earlier casualties under the Buhari administration.
The letter faulted Nigeria’s handling of terrorism financing, stating: “Though the names of financiers of terrorism in Nigeria were released by the government of the United Arab Emirates since 2021, the APC-led government of Nigeria, deliberately refused to prosecute the people because it is a terrorist-friendly government.”
Calling terrorism in Nigeria a threat to global security, the coalition urged the U.S. President to take decisive action.
It argued that the U.S. has historically demonstrated capacity for “precision attacks,” referencing past American military operations, including the killing of Osama bin Laden and the rescue of an abducted U.S. citizen in Niger State. “You successfully did this without desecrating the sovereignty of Nigeria,” the letter stated.
To address the current crisis, the coalition requested a range of measures, including targeted military strikes, sanctions on terrorism sponsors, a visit by U.S. officials to IDP camps, and the seizure of assets linked to Nigerian officials allegedly involved in corruption or aiding terrorism.
It stated: “Rather, we call for the total military extermination of terrorists, their sponsors and the direct sanctioning of individuals who are remotely connected to stifling the rights of the Nigerian people.”
The group backed the U.S. President’s recent stance, saying: “There is clearly a genocide against Christians in Nigeria and we believe that your declaration to attack the terrorists, is an answer to the prayers of millions of our people.”
Warning that delay could worsen the crisis, it concluded: “Sir, if action is delayed, tomorrow may be too late. Nigerians need urgent help. A stitch in time saves nine.”
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that panic and tears swept through Eruku town in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State on Tuesday evening as terrorists stormed a branch of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), killing three worshippers and abducting several others, including the pastor.
Sources told SaharaReporters that the attackers invaded the church during a meeting and immediately opened fire, sending worshippers running for cover.
Three members were shot dead on the spot before the assailants seized an unspecified number of people.