CISA Warns Against Western Propaganda Framing Nigeria’s Security Crisis as Religious War
The Citizens Initiative for Safety Awareness (CISA) has strongly condemned what it described as a “deliberate and dangerous attempt” by some Western interests, particularly sections of the United States Congress and media, to misrepresent Nigeria’s security challenges as targeted attacks on Christians.
In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by its National Coordinator, Chidi Omeje, the group cautioned that such divisive narratives are misleading and capable of undermining Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations and national unity.
CISA described the growing campaign in some Western circles as “reckless propaganda” aimed at weaponising religion and distorting the true nature of Nigeria’s security crisis. According to the organisation, terrorism and banditry in Nigeria are not religiously motivated conflicts but rather acts of violent criminality driven by extremism, greed, and the quest for control.
“The same insurgents who attack churches have also bombed mosques, ambushed Muslim travellers, and killed thousands of innocent people across all faiths and regions. The pain of terrorism is national, not sectarian,” the statement read.
The group expressed concern that certain U.S. lawmakers and media operatives are using unfounded claims of “Christian persecution” to justify renewed calls for Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under U.S. foreign policy. CISA warned that such a move would have serious security implications for the country.
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“This designation is not about human rights or religious freedom, it is about politics and control,” Omeje stated. “Blocking or restricting the sale of arms and military hardware to Nigeria will only cripple our counterinsurgency efforts, embolden terrorists, and expose innocent citizens to more danger.”
CISA further noted that even the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, with its vast intelligence resources, has never classified the violence in Nigeria as religious genocide. The group urged American policymakers to rely on credible intelligence and verified data rather than politically motivated fabrications.
“It is hypocritical and counterproductive for foreign actors to deny Nigeria access to the tools it needs to protect its people while claiming to defend human rights,” the statement continued. “When you deny Nigeria weapons to fight terror, you strengthen the terrorists who have no shortage of illegal supply lines.”
Reaffirming its position, CISA emphasized that the fight against terrorism in Nigeria is a collective struggle for survival by all citizens—Christians, Muslims, and people of other faiths alike.
“Our security agencies and citizens across communities have made immense sacrifices to restore peace. What Nigeria needs now is partnership and support, not politically motivated stigmatization,” Omeje added.
The group called on the U.S. government and other international allies to resist propaganda that seeks to divide Nigerians along religious lines and instead work with Nigeria to defeat terrorism and strengthen regional security.
CISA pledged to continue promoting truth, unity, and public awareness on national security issues, while countering misinformation that threatens Nigeria’s peace and sovereignty.
