The Secretary of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), Fr. Cornelius Omonokhua, has said that both Christians and Muslims are victims of what he described as genocide in Nigeria. According to him, violence in different communities has not targeted one religion alone, as people from both faiths continue to suffer killings, displacement, and destruction. He stressed that this reality shows the nation’s insecurity crisis is a threat to everyone, regardless of belief.

He explained that the continuous attacks in several parts of the country are carried out by criminals who use religion as a tool to divide Nigerians. In his view, the perpetrators are not fighting for any faith but for their own selfish and destructive interests. He warned that allowing such violence to be framed along religious lines only worsens fear, suspicion, and hatred among citizens.

Fr. Omonokhua urged religious leaders to avoid statements that paint one group as the sole target of violence. Instead, he called for unity between Christians and Muslims to promote peace and protect innocent lives. He said that genuine dialogue and cooperation will help reduce tensions and stop criminals from exploiting religious differences.

He appealed to both state and federal governments to take stronger action against those responsible for the killings. According to him, Nigeria needs a coordinated security response and policies that defend every citizen equally. He added that ensuring justice and fairness in handling cases of violence will help rebuild trust across communities and restore hope for peaceful coexistence.