Christian genocide in Nigeria is an undeniable reality that demands urgent attention from every Nigerian, asserts Reverend Father Godswill Agbagwa, a Nigerian Catholic priest.
Speaking out passionately against the ongoing violence, Fr Agbagwa warns that silence and denial only embolden the perpetrators and put more lives at risk.
“This is not the time to sit on the fence or to be economical with the truth,” he urged in a recent statement.
Fr Agbagwa emphasized that whether Nigerians have suffered directly or not, the issue of Christian genocide is everyone’s concern.
“Do not keep quiet because it has not affected you directly. I tell you, it will affect you soon,” he cautioned.
He also called out those benefiting from the current Islamic-led Federal Government, warning that their temporary gains do not justify ignoring the slaughter of innocent Christians across the nation.
Addressing the complicity that may arise from financial incentives, Father Agbagwa condemned any attempts to deny the genocide for “N150,000.00 ($100.00) monthly special assistant salary.”
He compared such betrayal to Judas’s betrayal of Jesus, emphasizing the moral cost of silence for personal gain. “You may live to regret it,” he warned sternly.
Highlighting the complexity of the security challenges in Nigeria, Father Agbagwa acknowledged that Islamic terrorists also target Muslim communities that oppose them.
“That is also true. But denying Christian genocide because the terrorists also kill other Muslims is illogical and uncharitable,” he explained.
He stressed that these two painful truths can coexist and must be addressed in tandem.
Calling for international and local intervention, Father Agbagwa appealed to former U.S. President Donald Trump and other world leaders to step in and assist Nigeria in eradicating these Islamic terrorist groups.
He criticized the current Federal Government, led by a Muslim president and vice president, for being incapable of confronting the terrorists effectively.
“You don’t expect a Muslim president and vice president to fight Muslim terrorists, do you?” he questioned.
Beyond external help, Father Agbagwa called on Nigerian Christians and honest Muslims to take moral responsibility and use their influence to fight terror in their country.
He specifically urged his fellow Catholics, both at home and abroad, to raise their voices loudly.
“If you have not made it clear on your social media handles that Christian genocide is real in Nigeria, then you are not prophetic,” he said, adding that priests must educate their congregations about the genocide.
Lastly, Father Agbagwa encouraged the faithful to move beyond private conversations to public activism. “Get out of WhatsApp groups and go to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc., and take a position on the issue of Christian genocide,” he urged.
He also called on Nigerians abroad to engage their foreign legislators to raise awareness and support for stopping the violence.
“Together, we can save not only Christians but also our innocent Muslim brothers and sisters who are often targeted by these Islamic terrorists,” Father Agbagwa concluded.