Mr Massad Boulos, Senior Adviser to United States President, Donald Trump on Arab and African Affairs says terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and ISIS have claimed more Muslim lives than Christian ones in Nigeria.
Boulos dismissed claims of religious persecution in the country, describing them as inaccurate and politically motivated.
He stated this in an interview shared by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, while reacting to allegations by some American lawmakers that Christians were being deliberately targeted in Nigeria.
According to him, the security challenges in Nigeria cut across ethnic and religious lines, adding that terrorism in the country is driven by criminal and extremist motives rather than faith.
“Any loss of life is regrettable. Those familiar with the situation know that terrorism has no colour, no religion, and no tribe,” Boulos said.
“People of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds are victims. In fact, Boko Haram and ISIS have killed more Muslims than Christians. This crisis is not about religion but about insecurity that affects everyone,” he added.
Boulos also addressed reports of recurring clashes between herders and farmers in parts of the Middle Belt, explaining that such incidents were largely economic disputes over land and resources rather than religious conflicts.
“In some areas, especially in the Middle Belt, you have farmers, most of whom are Christians, and herders passing through, some of whom are Muslims. These tensions are not driven by religion but by competing livelihoods,” he said.
He commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for intensifying security operations across volatile regions, noting that recent developments indicated gradual Improvement.
“The Tinubu administration has taken additional measures and deployed more resources in affected areas. We have seen some improvement in recent weeks, and we appreciate those efforts,” he said.
Boulos lauded Nigeria’s long history of peaceful coexistence among diverse religious and ethnic groups, urging the country to continue promoting unity and tolerance.
“Nigeria is a nation where Christians and Muslims have lived together for centuries. The population is almost evenly split, yet the people have maintained a culture of harmony. That spirit must be preserved,” he said.
He called for sustained collaboration between Nigeria and the United States in the global fight against terrorism and in strengthening peace and development efforts across Africa.
Boulos’ remarks come amid renewed calls by some U.S. lawmakers for Nigeria to be reclassified as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious persecution.
