The Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN), Kaduna State Chapter, has strongly criticised the decision of the United States government under President Donald Trump to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged persecution and killings of Christians.
The council described the move as unfair, biased, and based on a distorted understanding of Nigeria’s complex security situation. It also accused the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) of spreading what it called false claims of Christian persecution, warning that such narratives could deepen division and fuel mistrust across the country.
President Trump, in a post shared on his Truth Social platform on Friday, claimed that Christianity was facing an “existential threat” in Nigeria and accused “radical Islamists” of carrying out a “mass slaughter” of Christians. He further directed members of the U.S. Congress, including Riley Moore and Tom Cole, as well as the House Appropriations Committee, to investigate and report on the situation.
In reaction, SCSN Kaduna Secretary, Hassan AbdulRahman, said on Saturday that the U.S. designation was “unjust” and failed to reflect the true causes of Nigeria’s insecurity, which he attributed largely to ethnic, political, and economic tensions rather than religion.
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“The council is not happy with this development regarding allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria,” AbdulRahman said. “The Trump administration should have sought a balanced perspective before jumping to conclusions.”
He argued that portraying Nigeria as a country where Christians face systematic persecution was misleading and harmful to national unity. According to him, both Muslims and Christians have been victims of terrorism, banditry, and communal violence. “By statistics, it’s clear that Muslims are mostly the victims in various instances,” he added.
AbdulRahman accused the West of selective empathy, claiming that international attention tends to rise only when Christians are affected. “Wherever Muslims are killed, it doesn’t concern the West,” he said. “This bias only fuels alienation and distrust among Muslim communities.”
The council also criticised CAN, warning that promoting claims of genocide could further polarise Nigerians. “To CAN, who initiated these lies, they should know that if Nigeria sinks, it’s all of us that will bear the brunt — Christians, Muslims, and pagans alike,” AbdulRahman said.
Calling for mutual understanding and national unity, he urged Nigerians to reject external manipulation. “Let us not allow foreign lies to divide us. Through dialogue and cooperation, Nigeria can overcome its challenges,” he stated.
The council further urged the Federal Government to adopt a firmer diplomatic response, suggesting that Nigeria consider reviewing its relationship with the U.S. “The government must do more than issue statements,” AbdulRahman stressed. “Stern action must be taken to show the gravity of the situation.”
