Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has cautioned against the narrative that terrorist groups like Boko Haram and bandits in Nigeria specifically target Christians for their faith.
His statement came in response to recent comments by American television host Bill Maher, who claimed during his show that Christians in Nigeria are being killed because of their religion.
Sani, a human rights activist and vocal critic of insecurity in Nigeria, addressed the issue during an interview on Channels Television on Sunday. He argued that terrorism in Nigeria is not faith-based but indiscriminate, targeting citizens of all religions and backgrounds.
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“It is important that people understand that as far as bandits and terrorists are concerned, they do not discriminate their victims on the basis of their faith.
Muslims are killed by bandits and terrorists and Christians are killed by bandits and terrorists. They attack churches and mosques, they kill pastors and priests and they also kill Imams,” Sani stated.
He went on to explain that while attacks on churches and Christian communities have been widely reported internationally, similar atrocities are being committed against Muslim communities across the country. According to him, it is misleading to paint Nigeria’s security crisis as a targeted religious war against Christians.
The former senator cited recent examples to underscore his point, noting that a mosque in Katsina State was attacked only a few weeks ago, resulting in the deaths of several Muslim worshippers.
He also recalled a deadly incident that occurred just days ago in Zamfara State, where Muslims were once again among the victims.
“Just some few weeks ago there was an attack in a mosque in Katsina, Muslims were killed. There was an attack some few days in Zamfara where Muslims were killed,” he reiterated.
Sani warned that oversimplifying the conflict as a Christian persecution issue could deepen divisions among Nigerians and fuel further distrust between communities that have coexisted for centuries. Instead, he urged both local and international observers to recognize the shared suffering of Nigerians across all faiths and focus on addressing the root causes of the violence.
The ex-lawmaker, who played a major role in past peace negotiations with insurgent groups, emphasized that insecurity in Nigeria is driven by a combination of factors, including poverty, unemployment, corruption, and weak governance structures, rather than purely religious motives.
He further called on the Nigerian government to intensify efforts in combating terrorism, noting that military action alone is not sufficient to end the crisis.
Sani recommended improved intelligence gathering, better support for security forces, and investment in education and job creation to prevent radicalization among young people.
His remarks have since sparked a wave of reactions online. While many Nigerians praised him for presenting a more balanced perspective on the security situation, others argued that Christian communities in the northern region have suffered disproportionately, citing repeated church burnings and high-profile killings of priests.
Security analysts have also weighed in, with some agreeing with Sani’s position that the violence is largely indiscriminate, while others insist that extremist groups like Boko Haram still retain a religious agenda, as evidenced by their past declarations of intent to establish an Islamic caliphate in the region.
Despite the debate, there is widespread consensus that Nigeria’s security challenges remain a threat to all citizens, regardless of their faith or ethnicity.
Sani concluded by urging unity among Nigerians in confronting the shared challenge of terrorism and banditry. He warned that divisive narratives, whether local or foreign, only serve the interests of the perpetrators of violence.
“We must face this problem as one people,” he said. “The terrorists do not ask for your religion before they pull the trigger. Our survival depends on standing together and refusing to be divided.” he said.