Former ECWA Secretary Backs US Senators’ Claim Of Targeted Attacks On Christians In Nigeria, Says Killings ‘Look Like Genocide’

A former General Secretary of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Rev. Yunusa Nmadu, has corroborated claims by US senators that Christians in Nigeria are facing a systematic genocide.

Speaking at a book launch in his honour at Kaduna State University on Thursday, Nmadu said, "There are many killings affecting Christian communities in Nigeria. Whether we call it genocide or not is another issue, but what looks like genocide is happening."

Nmadu implored the Nigerian government to take drastic action to halt the bloodshed.

"The Government must rise to protect not just Christians but all citizens, because what good is it if everyone dies in the name of politics?" he said.

He acknowledged that the current administration appears to be taking security matters seriously under the Chief of Defence Staff, but noted that insecurity had deeply infiltrated the nation's social fabric.

Nmadu lambasted the entrenched insecurity, revealing that "some insiders are using insecurity for their own benefit to make the government ungovernable."

He demanded that the sponsors of insecurity be identified and brought to justice, asserting, "To solve this, we must identify and cut off the sponsors."

He opposed the Niger State Governor's idea on regulating religious preaching, describing it as “ignorant” and a violation of the right to freedom of religion.

“Sometimes, as a pastor, the Holy Spirit can inspire you to say things beyond what you prepared. So, who do we obey, the government or the Holy Spirit?” he asked.

Nmadu also cautioned preachers against using the pulpit to promote division, urging them instead to remain faithful to the teachings of their holy books.

Reviewing the book, Prof. Helen Ando said it was not a mere biographical account of Nmadu’s life but a deep exploration of his character, values, and engagement in shaping an inclusive and dignified society.

“His involvement in promoting freedom of religion in Nigeria demonstrates how faith leaders can engage with government while practising their religion in harmony.

“The book captures the intersection of faith, church, and service to humanity, a reflection of the author’s passion for societal transformation," he said.

Several U.S. Senators, led by Ted Cruz, have accused Nigerian officials of enabling or ignoring targeted violence against Christians, prompting diplomatic tensions and strong rebuttals from Nigeria’s government and legislature.

Cruz introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, which seeks to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act.

It also seeks to impose targeted sanctions on Nigerian officials accused of facilitating violence against Christians or enforcing blasphemy laws.

Cruz and other Republican senators, including Josh Hawley, James Lankford, and Pete Ricketts, cited incidents such as the kidnapping of scores of Christian children by Ansaru militants in Niger State in May 2024, the killing of 70 Christians and abduction of 20 students in Benue State in August 2024 and the massacre of 200 Christians in Benue in June 2025.

Cruz claimed that over 52,000 Christians have been murdered since 2009, and 20,000 churches destroyed.

The Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives have rejected the genocide narrative, stating that the country’s insecurity is not religion-driven but caused by terrorism, banditry, communal violence, and insurgency affecting all faiths.