Why There Are Targeted Killings of Christians in Nigeria — Majeed Dahiru Speaks Out

Public affairs analyst, Majeed Dahiru, has reacted to claims of targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria, insisting that President Bola Tinubu cannot be accused of religious bias or complicity in the ongoing crisis.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Dahiru said the president has demonstrated strong commitment to national security since assuming office.

“President Tinubu has not by any sense of imagination been accused of religious bigotry or having sympathy with Islamist jihadist terror groups,” he said.

According to Dahiru, Tinubu has mobilised the armed forces and other security agencies to tackle insurgency and restore order in troubled regions across the country.

He added that while attacks on Christians in some areas remain a concern, visible progress has been recorded in the fight against terrorism and banditry.

“Absolutely not. You can criticise him for every other thing but nobody can actually criticise him for this because he does not qualify for such criticism. That alone is something to bargain to say, ‘Look, I am the President of this country. I am the Commander-in-Chief. There is no way I will preside over a country and sit idly and allow, encourage the killings of Christians,’” Dahiru stated.

His comments come amid growing global concern about reports of religiously motivated killings in Nigeria.

On October 31, former United States President Donald Trump described the situation as a “mass slaughter,” warning that Christianity faces an existential threat in the country.

The U.S. leader further directed Congressman Riley Moore and House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole to investigate the alleged killings, adding, “I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘country of particular concern.’ But that is the least of it. When Christians, or any such group, is slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 Worldwide), something must be done!”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has dismissed claims of a Christian genocide, maintaining that security forces are confronting criminal elements without ethnic or religious bias.