By Franklin Adole
Christian leaders have charged the Federal Government to guarantee the safety of Nigerians of every faith, declaring that Christians, Muslims, and adherents of traditional religions have an equal right to protection amid persistent terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence across the country.
The Christian Elders and Professionals Consultative Council of Nigeria (CEPCCN), which backed concerns raised by the United States over attacks on Christian communities and Nigeria’s wider security crisis, said the protection of Christians must not be portrayed as being in conflict with the safety of Muslims or other religious groups.
The council said every Nigerian life was sacred and insisted that the primary responsibility for protecting citizens, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, community, or political identity, rested with the Nigerian government.
Its intervention came as the United Kingdom issued an updated travel advisory warning its citizens against all travel to parts of 11 Nigerian states and against all but essential travel to several other states and the Federal Capital Territory, including Abuja.
In a statement titled, “CEPCCN Reacts to US Concerns Over Christian Persecution and Nigeria Security Crisis: A Call for Urgent Protection of Citizens, Accountability, Strategic Partnership and National Unity,” the council said every credible allegation of killing, persecution, kidnapping or displacement deserved serious investigation and action.
The statement was issued by CEPCCN National Chairman, Bishop Alpha Justice Ikpeama.
“CEPCCN believes that every credible concern about the killing, persecution, kidnapping or displacement of Nigerian citizens deserves serious attention,” the council said.
It particularly condemned attacks targeting Christians, churches, clergy and Christian communities on account of their faith, but stressed that the same standard of protection must apply to every Nigerian.
“CEPCCN affirms that every Nigerian life is sacred, be it Christian, Muslim or traditional religious practitioners and other vulnerable citizens must equally be protected,” it said.
“The fundamental responsibility for protecting Nigerian citizens rests with the Nigerian State.”
The Christian elders expressed concern over attacks on churches, Christian communities, clergy, families and other vulnerable populations in parts of the country affected by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal conflicts.
They called for thorough investigations into attacks suspected to have been motivated by religious identity and demanded the prosecution of those responsible.
According to the council, no Nigerian should be killed, abducted, driven from his or her community or intimidated because of religious belief, ethnic background, community affiliation or political identity.
It urged the government to strengthen intelligence gathering, early-warning mechanisms, rapid-response capabilities and community protection while ensuring that perpetrators of violence were identified and brought to justice.
“Christian lives must be protected. Religious freedom must be defended. Human dignity must be respected,” the group said.
CEPCCN, however, acknowledged that Nigeria’s security crisis was multidimensional, with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, organised crime, communal tensions, and other factors contributing to violence in different parts of the country.
It consequently warned against reducing the crisis to a contest between religious groups, arguing that the appropriate response must be centred on the protection of citizens.
“Protect Christians. Protect Muslims. Protect traditional communities. Protect every Nigerian. Justice must be universal, and the value of human life must never depend upon religious identity,” the council declared.
The group also urged the Federal Government to treat legitimate concerns raised by Nigeria’s international partners through constructive engagement rather than confrontation.
It welcomed cooperation with responsible foreign partners, particularly where such partnerships could strengthen Nigeria’s intelligence, counter-terrorism, and civilian-protection capabilities.
CEPCCN noted that recent engagements between Nigeria and the United States had included counter-terrorism, intelligence cooperation, military training, and wider security partnerships.
It called for those relationships to be strengthened through intelligence sharing, technology, specialised training, equipment, counter-terrorism assistance, humanitarian intervention, and institutional capacity building.
According to the council, international security partnerships should ultimately enhance Nigeria’s ability to protect its citizens and rebuild public confidence in the country’s security architecture.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has widened its warning to citizens travelling to Nigeria, citing security risks across several parts of the country.
In its latest Nigeria travel advice, updated on August 20, 2026, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office advised against all travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, and Gombe states in the North-East.
The same warning applies to Katsina and Zamfara states in the North-West.
In the South-South, British citizens were advised against all travel to riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states.
The FCDO described the affected riverine areas as river and swamp locations accessible by boat but not by road.
Britain also advised against all but essential travel to Bauchi State, as well as Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, and Sokoto states in the North-West.
In the North-Central region, Niger, Kogi, Plateau, Taraba, Kwara, and Benue states were placed under the same all-but-essential-travel advisory.
The warning also extends to the Federal Capital Territory, including Abuja.
In the South-East and South-South, the UK advised against all but essential travel to Abia, Anambra, and Imo states, as well as non-riverine parts of Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers.
The FCDO cautioned British travellers that no journey could be guaranteed to be safe and advised anyone intending to visit Nigeria to research destinations carefully and obtain appropriate travel insurance.
It also warned that travelling against official FCDO advice could invalidate insurance coverage.
The latest advisory additionally contains guidance on entry requirements, health, regional security risks, emergency assistance, overseas adoption, and reported IVF and fertility-treatment scams.
The developments have renewed pressure on the Federal Government to strengthen security across communities and demonstrate that the Nigerian state can protect citizens irrespective of where they live or how they worship.
Discover more from Keeping Them Honest
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.