Nigeria’s Strength Lies in Unity, Not Division — NCPC Executive Secretary

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Prof. Stephen Adegbite, has reaffirmed that Nigeria’s peace and progress depend on unity, mutual understanding, and collective resolve rather than divisive narratives.

This was contained in a statement issued by Celestine Toruka, Deputy Director and Head of Media and Public Relations at the Commission.

Speaking during a press briefing on national issues at the NCPC Corporate Headquarters in Abuja, Bishop Adegbite addressed recent remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who alleged a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria and hinted at possible foreign military intervention.

“While we appreciate the global concern for the welfare of Christians, it is important to clarify that Nigeria’s security challenges should not be misinterpreted as a religious war but as a national security crisis driven by terrorism, banditry, and criminality affecting all citizens regardless of faith,” Bishop Adegbite stated.

Quoting data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) and the Observatory of Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA), the NCPC boss revealed that between 2020 and 2025, more than 20,000 civilians — including both Christians and Muslims — lost their lives in conflicts across the country. These figures, he said, prove that Nigeria’s problem is not a targeted genocide but a complex security emergency.

Bishop Adegbite commended the Federal and State Governments for their ongoing efforts to combat insurgency and restore stability, noting that significant progress has been made. “The government has never sanctioned violence against any religious group,” he emphasized. “What Nigeria needs from the international community is partnership, intelligence sharing, counterterrorism training, and humanitarian support — not threats of military invasion.”

He cautioned that any reckless foreign military intervention could destabilize the entire West African sub-region, triggering humanitarian and economic crises. “Nigeria is a multi-ethnic democracy with over 220 million citizens and more than 250 ethnic nationalities,” he said. “What we need is cooperation and solidarity, not coercion or divisive rhetoric.”

The NCPC Executive Secretary praised the sustained collaboration between Christian and Muslim leaders through the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), describing it as a vital mechanism for interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding. “As religious leaders, we stand united against violence. Our duty is to heal, not divide; to build bridges, not walls,” he declared.

According to Bishop Adegbite, “the battle is not Christians versus Muslims; it is Nigerians versus terror. Our strength as a nation lies in our shared humanity, faith, and hope for a peaceful future.”

He urged the media, international observers, and advocacy groups to rely on verified information and to support initiatives that foster peace, justice, and reconciliation across Nigeria.