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…seek global intervention, say Christians facing “genocide” in northern Nigeria

…appeal for victims like Caroline, Leah Sharibu abducted schoolgirls

By Gloria Ikibah

The Chairman of the Arewa Christians and Indigenous Pastors Association (ACIPA), Rev. Luke Shehu, has issued a blistering condemnation of Nigeria’s security apparatus, accusing authorities of neglect, compromise and denial as he visited families of the 27 victims killed in the 15 July attack on Bindi community in Tahoss Ward of Riyom Local Government Area, Plateau State.

Speaking during a consolation worship service at the community’s mass grave on Sunday, Rev. Shehu said the killings were part of a long-running pattern of targeted assaults against Christian communities in northern Nigeria.
He began by expressing sympathy to the bereaved families.

“On behalf of the Arewa Christians and Indigenous Pastors Associations (ACIPA) I am glad to extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers to all the victims of yet another genocide in northern Nigeria. This time again in Tahoss of Riyom local government on 15th July 2025 twenty-seven people were gruesomely murdered in a terrorist genocide targeting Christians.

“It would be recalled that many years ago same genocidal attack was carried out in Wereh Village… when except for a surviving daughter all family were murdered in cold blooded terrorist in a genocidal effort to wipe Christians from their indigenous and ancestral homes”, he said.

Rev. Shehu noted that the visit also reinforced the long-standing advocacy of Rev. Evangelist Ezekiel Dachomo, who he said had shown “courage and sincerity of purpose” in exposing what ACIPA describes as systematic persecution.

“ACIPA and the generality of Northern Nigerian Christians with gratitude to God commends and appreciate the courage and sincerity of purpose of Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo at reaffirming genocide and defining it as it is even at an imminent risks.”

Rev. Shehu questioned the failure of security forces to intervene during the two-hour attack, despite the proximity of military posts.

“This church in Bindi, Tahoss District… was attacked by terrorist on 15th July 2025 in an operation that lasted over 2 hours. In all twenty- seven people were killed… Unfortunately the Sector 6 Command… is only 7 to 10 minutes drive away. Also there was another check point at Sopp Village… just five minutes away. Therefore, ACIPA like most Christian Communities is losing confidence in our military as a result of often neglect or compromise and the work of fifth columnists”, he added.

Rev. Shehu sharply criticised the military’s response to the July attack, as he accused government officials and some Islamic clerics of attempting to rewrite the narrative.

“The church in Bindi was attacked for over two hours. Yet Sector 6 Command under Operation Enduring Peace is barely ten minutes away. Another checkpoint at Sopp Village is just five minutes from the scene. ACIPA, like most Christian communities, is losing confidence in our military due to neglect, compromise, and the work of fifth columnists.

“Sponsors, collaborators and allies of terrorists continue to deny the realities of genocide. In the forefront of this denial—apart from the government itself—are Islamic clerics like Sheikh Ahmed Gumi and Sheikh Yahaya Jingir,” he said.

Rev. Shehu referenced his own survival of the September 2001 Jos crisis, as he then linked local attacks to global jihadist networks.

“I narrowly survived the 7 September 2001 unprovoked attacks against Christians in Jos. The aftermath left the city centre occupied by mainly Muslim settlers.

“The connection between Boko Haram, ISWAP, Fulani bandits, Ansaru and other jihadist agendas is clear. From Borno to Kwara, from Zamfara to Plateau, the goal is the same: to decimate Christians and indigenous peoples and entrench a Caliphate,” he said.

In one of his strongest criticisms, Rev. Shehu rejected the credibility of top national security officials.

“We can no longer trust the presence of Nuhu Ribadu as National Security Adviser, or the Ministers of Defence—both of whom are Fulani Muslims. Northern Christians pass a vote of no confidence on them. We demand their removal.

“The NSA cannot be trusted to represent Nigeria or northern Christians on matters concerning genocide. We are the persecuted and marginalised, and we will speak for ourselves”, he added.

Rev. Shehu questioned the presence of certain Nigerian clerics abroad.

“We are not surprised that Sheikh Gumi has travelled to Turkey while his co-traveller Nasir El-Rufai is somewhere in the Middle East. If Saudi Arabia once expelled Gumi for questionable conduct, why are other Arab nations harbouring them?.

“Either they are complicit in the genocide or they owe us explanations” he asked.

ACIPA further restated its long-standing demands for radical security reforms.

“The government must declare a state of emergency on national security. Nigeria must collaborate with the United States to expose terrorist sponsors, arrest them and decimate all terror enclaves.

“Open grazing must be banned immediately. It is the avenue Fulani bandits use to perpetrate terror,” he said.

Rev. Shehu reserved particularly harsh words for the governors of Benue and Plateau States.

On Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue, he declared:
“Governor Alia is a betrayer of Christians in Nigeria. His denial of genocide—even after the murder of more than 200 Christians in Yelewata—places him in the same category as Nasir El-Rufai. Christians in Benue must not consider him for re-election.”

Turning to Plateau’s Governor Caleb Mutfwang, he warned:
“The Christians of Plateau did not elect him to bury their loved ones. We warn him not to follow the path of denial. He must focus on governance and the protection of lives rather than globetrotting or governing through proxies.”

He also criticised colonial-era arrangements, saying:
“The British romance with the Sultan and the emirate structure sold northern Christians to Islamists. Britain owes northern Christians an apology.”

He highlighted the case of Caroline Danbade Keftin, a Christian student abducted in Potiskum while travelling to the University of Maiduguri.

“This is Caroline Danbade Keftin a christian girl abducted by terrorist at Potiskum on her way to University of Maiduguri. She divinely escaped the terrorist dungeon after undergoing harrowing and unimaginable abuse and suffering. Today Caroline is out of school… Caroline never had support from the government for her medical treatment and neither is she in school today.”

He appealed for public support:
“ACIPA use this medium to plead for support to help Caroline and other Christian victims like her go back to School.”

As grieving families gathered around the graves of their loved ones, ACIPA insisted that the attacks were part of a broader existential threat — and called again for national and international action to prevent further loss of life.

On Leah Sharibu, he declared:
“The intelligence locating Leah is available, but the government has failed again. She was the only Christian girl abducted in Dapchi—this is the real reason for the failure to rescue her.”

He said ACIPA had resolved, after consultations in Jos, to pursue international engagement.

“After due consultations in Jos with Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, we are furthering and reiterating our request that a one-on-one meeting with President Donald Trump with regards to the persecution and genocide against Northern Christians is very important.”

He added that ACIPA was prepared to present further evidence of attacks and killings.

“We shall be willing to present more facts and evidence of persecution and genocide in Northern Nigeria especially in view of our government’s denial of same.”

Rev. Shehu accused Nigerian authorities of lacking the political will to confront terrorism.

“Authorities in Nigeria rather than being decisive and bold chose to neglect critical intelligence and muster the courage and political will to decimate and eradicate terrorist because it is business to many.”

The ACIPA Chairman concluded with a call for structural reforms and international engagement.

“Devolution of power, state police and a return to regional autonomy are essential.

“ACIPA shall continue to pray for Nigeria and work towards restoring peace and security—without fear or favour”, ,” he said.