CISA condemns Western attempt to weaponise religion against Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts
By: Zagazola Makama
The Citizens Initiative for Safety Awareness (CISA) has condemned what it described as renewed attempts by some Western interests, particularly a section of the United States Congress and media, to misrepresent Nigeria’s security challenges as religiously motivated attacks against Christians.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by its National Coordinator, Mr Chidi Omeje, CISA described the narrative as misleading, divisive and dangerous to Nigeria’s ongoing counterterrorism and anti-banditry operations.
Omeje said the effort to portray the country’s multi-dimensional security crisis as a religious conflict between Christians and Muslims was an act of propaganda that undermines the sacrifices of Nigerians of all faiths who have died in the fight against terrorism.
He said terrorism and banditry in Nigeria were not religiously driven but acts of criminality fuelled by extremism, greed and the quest for control.
“The same insurgents who attack churches have also bombed mosques, ambushed Muslim travellers and killed thousands of innocent people across all faiths and regions. The pain of terrorism is national, not sectarian,” he said.
CISA expressed concern that some U.S. lawmakers and media actors were using claims of “Christian persecution” to push for the redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)” under U.S. foreign policy.
According to the group, such a move is not about human rights or religious freedom but about politics and control, warning that the consequence would be the restriction of arms sales to Nigeria, thereby weakening its counterinsurgency operations.
“This will not help Nigeria’s Christians, Muslims, or anyone else. It will only embolden terrorists and expand their capacity to inflict more pain on defenceless citizens,” Omeje said.
He urged members of the U.S. Congress and the international community to rely on verified intelligence and credible data rather than politically motivated reports, noting that even the U.S. Embassy in Abuja had never classified the violence in Nigeria as religious genocide.
“It is hypocritical and counterproductive for foreign actors to deny Nigeria access to the tools it needs to protect its people while professing concern for human rights,” he added.
CISA reaffirmed that Nigeria’s fight against terrorism was a fight for the survival of all citizens regardless of faith, ethnicity, or political affiliation, and called for genuine international partnership to support the country’s efforts.
“What our security agencies need now is international support, not politically motivated stigmatization,” Omeje said.
He reiterated CISA’s commitment to promoting truth, unity, and national security awareness, vowing that the organisation would continue to resist all forms of disinformation that threaten Nigeria’s peace and sovereignty.
