HURIWA Criticises Bwala Over Comments on Alleged Genocide of Christians

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has faulted comments credited to the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Mr Daniel Bwala, over the origin and credibility of claims that Christians are being targeted in violent attacks in parts of Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the rights group described Bwala’s position as inconsistent and misleading, accusing him of attempting to discredit reports of attacks on Christian communities by attributing the narrative to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
HURIWA also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to clarify whether the views expressed by his aide reflect the official position of the Federal Government, particularly as they relate to claims of religiously motivated violence in the country.
The group recalled that a recent report by The New York Times questioned the source of genocide claims, linking them to an Onitsha-based civil society organisation, Intersociety, led by Mr Emeka Umeagbalasi. HURIWA dismissed the report as inaccurate, insisting that incidents cited as evidence of persecution are documented attacks involving killings, kidnappings, and destruction of churches in several northern states.
Reacting to Bwala’s comments on his social media platform, where he reiterated that IPOB was responsible for promoting the genocide narrative, HURIWA said the claims ignored reports by religious bodies, local communities, and international organisations.
The rights group cited repeated statements by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), which has raised concerns over attacks on Christian communities, restrictions on church construction, destruction of worship centres, and the impact of extremist violence on religious freedom.
HURIWA also referenced data shared by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference with the international charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), which documented the kidnapping of at least 212 Catholic priests in Nigeria between 2015 and 2025. According to the report, several priests were killed or died from trauma, while others remain in captivity, highlighting the scale of insecurity affecting clergy and Christian communities.
While acknowledging that violence in Nigeria affects both Christians and Muslims, HURIWA maintained that in certain regions, Christians face targeted attacks linked to extremist groups and ethno-religious militias.
The group criticised what it described as attempts by government officials to downplay or dismiss these concerns and urged authorities to focus on addressing insecurity, protecting religious freedom, and ensuring justice for victims rather than disputing the source of reports.
HURIWA concluded by calling for transparent engagement with local and international stakeholders to address the root causes of violence and restore confidence in the government’s commitment to protecting all citizens, regardless of faith.