By Smart Emmanuel,
Reverend John Joseph Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, has delivered a stark message: the systematic killings of Christians in northern Nigeria are nothing short of genocide.
Speaking on the ARISE News Morning Show, Hayab condemned the ongoing denial of these atrocities, calling it a grave injustice to the victims and their families. “Labeling these attacks as mere farmers-herders clashes is false and deeply disrespectful to those who have died for their faith,” he said.
Hayab traced the violence back decades, from the 2000 Sharia riots and the 2002 Miss World riots in Kaduna to Boko Haram’s insurgency, stressing that Christians have been targeted long before recent headlines. He also highlighted institutional discrimination, citing cases where Christian students were denied admission or access to places of worship in schools.
The gravity of the situation has drawn international attention. In 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump officially designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern due to the deliberate targeting of Christians, citing patterns of violence that have devastated communities. Canada has echoed these concerns, signaling that the world cannot continue to look away as faith-based killings persist.
Hayab’s declaration amplifies these international warnings, emphasizing that peace and national unity in Nigeria cannot be achieved through denial. “Truth, justice, and mutual respect must guide the path forward. Anything less will perpetuate this genocide,” he warned.
He traced the roots of religious extremism in northern Nigeria to the Maitatsine uprisings of the late 1970s and early 1980s, calling it the beginning of a violent ideology that continues today.
As both domestic and global leaders confront this reality, Hayab’s call is clear: acknowledge the genocide, protect the innocent, and hold perpetrators accountable. Until that happens, the suffering of Nigeria’s Christian communities will continue unabated.
