By THE National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Francis Wale Oke, has reaffirmed that the ongoing killings and coordinated attacks on Christian communities across Nigeria amount to nothing, but genocide.
Bishop Oke made this known while reacting to media reports suggesting that he had denied such claims during the PFN’s 40th anniversary celebration.
He described the reports as “false, misleading, and malicious,” stressing that his stance on the matter has never changed.
“Let it be clearly stated: there is genocide against the Church and Christian communities in Nigeria.
“I have never said otherwise. Anyone following events in this country knows this is true,” he declared.
The PFN President cited several examples to support his position, including the abduction of Leah Sharibu, the kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls, the Owo Catholic Church massacre, and repeated attacks on communities in Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Southern Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Niger states.
According to him, although Christians and Muslims have coexisted peacefully for generations, extremist groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and armed militias continue to unleash violence on Christian communities in different parts of the country.
“Hundreds of churches have been destroyed. Tens of thousands of Christians have been killed.
“Pastors have been targeted and murdered. Entire villages have been wiped out,” he lamented.
Bishop Oke further disclosed that the PFN, working with its partners, has continued to provide humanitarian relief to victims of such attacks.
He revealed that truckloads of food and essential supplies have been dispatched from Lagos to several affected states to assist displaced persons.
He, however, noted that while the present administration did not initiate the crisis, it bears the constitutional responsibility to safeguard all citizens, irrespective of their religion or ethnicity.
Responding to recent remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who accused Nigerian authorities of religious intolerance, Bishop Oke urged the international community to offer constructive assistance rather than condemnation.
“President Trump and other friends of Nigeria should not criticise in a way that undermines our nation. Instead, they should help us.
“The United States has the technology, intelligence, and training systems required to help defeat these extremist forces,” he said.
The PFN leader appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to strengthen diplomatic and military cooperation with the United States and other global allies to combat terrorism more effectively.
“This challenge is like cancer. We must call it by its name and confront it decisively.
“Nigeria needs help, and now is the time for collaborative action,” Bishop Oke added.
He reiterated that the PFN remains committed to standing with victims of religious violence while continuing to advocate peace, unity, and justice across Nigeria.
What's your reaction?
