PFN to Tinubu: Partner Trump to Halt Christian Killings
By Ekanem Asuquo
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to explore international collaboration, particularly with United States President Donald Trump, to stem what it described as persistent attacks and killings targeting Christian communities in parts of Nigeria.
PFN President, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, made the appeal on Friday while addressing journalists in Ibadan, Oyo State. He said the scale and frequency of attacks have made it impossible to deny that a pattern of targeted violence is unfolding against Christians across the country.
He recalled that due to similar concerns during his tenure, former U.S. President Donald Trump had designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” and warned of possible intervention if the trend continued unchecked. According to Oke, the situation remains troubling and warrants strategic cooperation rather than diplomatic pushback.
“There is Christian genocide in Nigeria. There is no other name to call it,” he said. “No Christian group is attacking Muslims. The patience of the Church is being stretched. Hundreds of Christians and pastors have been killed. We cannot pretend about this anymore.”
He cited several notable incidents as examples — including the murder of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto, the abduction of Leah Sharibu, the kidnap of the Chibok girls, as well as repeated attacks in Benue, Taraba, Southern Kaduna, Niger, Plateau, and the Owo church massacre in Ondo State.
Bishop Oke clarified that the attacks are largely carried out by extremist and terror groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP and other violent elements, and do not represent the Muslim community.
While commending former President Trump for speaking out on the plight of Christians, the PFN President emphasised that external military intervention is not the preferred approach. Instead, he advised President Tinubu to seek partnership aimed at tackling terrorism and safeguarding vulnerable populations.
“President Tinubu should seek the cooperation of President Trump instead of opposing him,” he said. “The Federal Government should move decisively to dismantle these radical groups so Nigerians can live in peace.”
Oke stressed that the protection of lives remains the constitutional duty of the government, adding that although the Tinubu administration inherited the security crisis, Nigerians expect swift and result-driven action.
“Government should not play politics with this matter,” he added. “This is the time to confront the situation with sincerity and courage.”
Meanwhile, President Tinubu is reported to be engaging religious leaders amid mounting international attention on Nigeria’s security challenges and Trump’s recent comments indicating readiness to respond to terror-linked killings in the country.
