Northern CAN, Bishops Dispute Trump’s Claims on Nigerian Security

Christian leaders across Northern Nigeria have officially rejected claims made by U.S. President Donald Trump that American military intervention has successfully halted the killing of Christians in the country.

During a recent event in Washington, President Trump asserted that U.S. military strikes in Nigeria had effectively dismantled extremist networks and largely brought an end to the “slaughter” of Christian populations. He further claimed that his administration’s actions, including the elimination of key insurgent leaders, had forced hostile groups to retreat from further attacks.

However, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory has dismissed these statements as misleading and disconnected from the reality on the ground. Joseph Hayab, the regional CAN chairman, argued that the U.S. president is likely relying on inaccurate information provided by political advisers who do not fully grasp the country’s complex security situation.

“The right people to determine if there has been success are the Nigerian victims themselves, not President Trump,” Hayab stated. He pointed out that abductions and killings continue to plague several states, noting that despite occasional U.S. military operations against terrorist elements, the overall security climate has not seen the meaningful improvement claimed by Washington.

The Ecumenical Synods of Bishops, Archbishops, Apostles, and Senior Clergy echoed these sentiments, expressing skepticism toward the U.S. claims. Archbishop Osazee William, the body’s international secretary, stated that while there had been isolated reports of warning strikes, there was no tangible evidence that such interventions had addressed the root causes of the violence.

The clerics criticized what they described as “propaganda” and urged the U.S. government to move beyond political rhetoric. They called for more substantive, sustained support that addresses the core drivers of insecurity, rather than assertions that could potentially trivialize the ongoing suffering of displaced and affected communities.

The religious leaders concluded by warning that such inaccurate portrayals of the security situation could undermine genuine efforts to protect vulnerable populations, emphasizing that Nigerians remain in urgent need of practical, collaborative solutions to restore peace and security across the nation.