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By Emmanuel Mogbede
The Rebuild Arewa Initiative for Development (RAID), an NGO, has called on the International Community to verify the facts about Nigeria’s security situation before forming opinions or taking actions against it.
Alhaji Bitako Umar, RAID Director of Communications and Publicity, made the call at a news conference in Abuja while reacting to allegations of genocide in Nigeria by President Donald Trump and some U.S Senators.
Umar described the allegation as baseless, saying it should be disregarded and rejected by all.
“As a socio-cultural organisation rooted across all states in Northern Nigeria, we have for years, worked to promote peace, unity, and development across our communities.
“We have witnessed and documented the realities on ground, and we state clearly and unequivocally that Trump and his senator’s claim do not represent the truth about Nigeria’s scenario.
“What is happening in our country, especially in the North, is not genocide. It is a complex crisis driven by insecurity, terrorism, and the collapse of social and economic structures,” Umar said.
He explained that both Christians and Muslims were victims of the same violence, adding that bandits do not ask for religion before they kill or kidnap.
He further explained that Boko Haram had killed Imams and Pastors alike, stressing that farmers and traders of all faiths had suffered the same fate in the hands of criminals.
“When Trump speaks of genocide, he should remember Rwanda in 1994, when over 800,000 people were massacred purely on ethnic grounds.
“He should recall Bosnia, where entire communities were executed for belonging to a particular group and the recent in history is Palestinians. Those were genocides,” he said.
Umar added that Nigeria’s tragedy was rooted in past failed leadership, corruption, and weak institutions, not in a deliberate campaign to wipe out any religious group.
He, therefore, said that to equate Nigeria’s internal security crisis with genocide was dishonest and dangerous because it fuelled division, deepened suspicion, and undermined the peace Nigeria were struggling to rebuild.
“Nigeria’s history tells a different story, for centuries, Northern Nigeria has been a model of co-existence where Muslims and Christians have lived, traded, and celebrated together.
“The peace of Jos, the harmony of Kaduna, and the shared struggles of Maiduguri are proof of this. What threatens us today are not our differences, but the criminals and extremists exploiting them,” he noted.
He called on Northern elders, political leaders, religious authorities, and traditional rulers to stand firm and speak with one voice, saying the North must not allow foreign narratives to define its pain or distort its struggle.
He advised the Federal Government not to respond to Trump’s allegation with outrage, but with action by strengthening security, protecting all citizens equally, and rebuilding communities devastated by violence.
“The time for excuses is over, as every child in Borno, Zamfara, Plateau, or Benue deserves to live free from fear, regardless of faith.
“We call on the international communities to verify facts before forming opinions. Let them come to Nigeria, visit our camps, talk to survivors, and see the truth for themselves.
“Our people are tired of propaganda. They need peace, justice, and opportunity. We reject Trump’s claim in its entirety. It is false, divisive, and harmful. Nigeria is not a nation of genocide.
“We are a nation in need of healing and good governance. The North will continue to fight for peace, rebuild our homes, and defend the truth—for the sake of our people, our unity, and our shared values and future of our generations,” he said.
Umar said it was about time for Senators and House of Representatives members to enact laws that would treat any criminal that killed or wage mayhem on either a person, group of people or community.
He said such criminals should be punished publicly either by execution or be sentenced to life in prison to deter others from committing crimes.
“Any public office holder that embezzles public funds should be prosecuted publicly or be imprisoned for life while the embezzled funds be retrieved without free-bargain.
“Any criminality perpetrated in an area or areas that lasts for more than a week, the heads of the security agencies in charge of the area or areas should be relieved of their position immediately.
“Such laws, if put in place, shall definitely put Nigeria in tranquillity where peace and development will prosper,” Umar stressed. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
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