The Senior Adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump on Arab and African Affairs, Massad Boulos, has said that terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and ISIS have killed more Muslims than Christians in Nigeria.
Boulos made the remark in a video shared by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and obtained by Diaspora Digital Media.
He noted that extremist groups have caused pain across all religions and communities, adding that terrorism in Nigeria “has no colour, no religion, and no tribe.”
“We even know that Boko Haram and ISIS are killing more Muslims than Christians.
People from all backgrounds are suffering. This is not specifically targeted,” he said.
Boulos described the ongoing violence as “tragic and senseless,” stressing the need for stronger international cooperation to combat insecurity.
“Any loss of lives is one too many. We must form partnerships to end this menace,” he stated.
Addressing reports of attacks in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, he cautioned against framing the violence as purely religious.
“Some herdsmen attack farmers who happen to be Christians, but we cannot say this is specifically targeted. We must work together to stop it,” he added.
The U.S. envoy also commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for deploying additional resources to tackle insecurity, noting that “some improvements” have been recorded.
He said, “The Nigerian government has taken additional measures in affected regions. We appreciate these steps and hope to see more progress.”
Reaffirming Nigeria’s long-standing religious harmony, Boulos said, “Nigeria is a country split 50-50 between Christians and Muslims, yet both groups have lived together in peace for centuries. Terrorism is the enemy of all.”
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) recently expressed alarm over persistent attacks on Christian communities, especially in the North.
The group urged the government to take urgent and transparent action against what it described as “widespread killings and displacement.”
Similarly, some U.S. lawmakers have raised concerns about the alleged targeting of Christians in Nigeria.
In a recent letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Congressman Riley M. Moore urged the U.S. to reconsider its diplomatic relations with Nigeria, calling for the country’s redesignation as a “Country of Particular Concern” under the U.S. International Religious Freedom Act.
The Nigerian government, however, has repeatedly denied claims of religious persecution, insisting that terrorism in the country affects citizens of all faiths.
