A leading Nigerian church leader has challenged America’s recent worries about attacks on Christians in the country. This follows remarks by the US president on supposed religious mistreatment there.
In a video that gained wide attention this week, Pastor Wale Adefarasin of Guiding Light Assembly said the deaths of Christians in northern areas like southern Kaduna and the Plateau have gone on for decades. He pointed out riots and clashes over the years, including one sparked by a drawing of the Prophet Muhammad in France that led to violence against Christians in Nigeria.
The pastor stressed that these events are not fresh and do not add up to a full-scale wipeout of any group. He criticised how Western voices paint the picture, making it sound like Christians face instant danger just by walking outside.
Pastor Adefarasin also wondered about the real reasons behind the US shift in focus. He asked if it ties to Nigeria’s new giant oil refinery, which cuts down on sending crude abroad and importing fuel. Or could it link to valuable underground resources needed for modern energy in cars and power plants? He questioned whether these interests explain threats of US forces stepping in to shield Nigerian believers.
His words join a flood of responses from Nigerian officials, faith leaders, and community groups to the US president’s warning of possible army moves over the reported Christian deaths.
