The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has refuted recent allegations by U.S. President Donald Trump that terrorist attacks in Nigeria specifically target Christians.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, the Commission described the claims as “false and dangerous,” stressing that acts of terrorism in the region do not discriminate on the basis of religion, ethnicity, or gender.
ECOWAS affirmed its solidarity with Nigeria and urged global partners, including the United Nations, to reject any narratives suggesting a religious genocide, warning that such misinformation could heighten insecurity and undermine social cohesion.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace and stability, ECOWAS called for stronger international cooperation to combat terrorism across West Africa. The bloc also raised concerns over the increasing violence by extremist groups in countries such as Nigeria and appealed for unified action to protect all communities. Trump’s remarks, posted on Truth Social, alleged that “radical Islamists” were killing thousands of Christians in Nigeria — a claim both ECOWAS and the Nigerian government dismissed as misleading and harmful to ongoing counterterrorism and peacebuilding efforts.