Renowned Jos-based religious leader, Prophet Isa El-Buba from Plateau State, has challenged the Nigerian government‘s rejection of claims that a religious genocide is occurring within the country. This response comes amid accusations made by certain members of the US Congress.
In a statement shared on his social media platforms on Wednesday, Prophet El-Buba, who leads El-Buba Outreach Ministries International headquartered in Jos, appeared to affirm these allegations. He emphasized that no amount of denial can obscure the harsh reality that Christians, particularly in northern Nigeria, are being systematically targeted and killed.
Addressing Nigerians with fervor, El-Buba condemned what he described as an ongoing campaign of genocide against Christian populations and communities in the Middle Belt region. He accused the government of deliberately downplaying the severity and extent of these violent acts.
The cleric urged citizens to reject misinformation and stand firm in acknowledging the truth about the widespread violence ravaging the nation.
According to his account, at least 7,087 Christians lost their lives within the first 220 days of 2025, averaging 32 fatalities per day. He also referenced data indicating 3,100 deaths in 2024 and 4,118 between October 2022 and September 2023.
Highlighting the tragic 2023 Christmas massacre in Plateau State, where over 300 Christians were slaughtered, alongside other brutal attacks in Benue State, El-Buba noted that more than 500 lives were claimed in that year alone.
“The ongoing genocide against Christians and Middle Belt communities in Nigeria is undeniable,” El-Buba stated emphatically.
“Entire Christian settlements have been uprooted, with tens of thousands of believers killed and their homes seized in Northern Nigeria. This is a clear case of genocide.”
He shared his personal grief, revealing that he has participated in the funerals of countless Christian victims of this violence, and called on the federal government to take firm action against all forms of violence, irrespective of the victims’ faith or ethnic background.
Prophet El-Buba also rejected assertions from presidential aides denying the existence of genocide, labeling such claims as outright falsehoods.
“Attempts to mask the truth are futile; what is unfolding in Nigeria is genocide, plain and simple,” he declared.