CEPCCN: Protect Every Nigerian, Uphold Justice, and Strengthen Security Through Unity and Constructive International Partnership. #CEPCCN #ProtectEveryNigerian #NationalSecurity

CHRISTIAN ELDERS AND PROFESSIONALS CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL OF NIGERIA (CEPCCN)

NATIONAL NEWS STATEMENT

CEPCCN REACTS TO U.S. CONCERNS OVER CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION AND NIGERIA’S SECURITY CRISIS

A Call for Urgent Protection of Citizens, Accountability, Strategic Partnership and National Unity

“Champions of Professionalism and Wisdom in Christ.”

The Christian Elders and Professionals Consultative Council of Nigeria (CEPCCN) has taken note of renewed concerns in the United States regarding the safety of Christian communities and other vulnerable populations in Nigeria.

CEPCCN believes that every credible concern about the killing, persecution, kidnapping or displacement of Nigerian citizens deserves serious attention.

The Council particularly condemns attacks against Christians, churches, clergy and Christian communities because of their faith. At the same time, CEPCCN affirms that every Nigerian life is sacred and that Muslims, traditional communities and other vulnerable citizens must equally be protected.

The fundamental responsibility for protecting Nigerian citizens rests with the Nigerian State.

CHRISTIAN LIVES MUST BE PROTECTED

CEPCCN is deeply concerned about attacks affecting Christian communities, churches, clergy, families and vulnerable populations in areas experiencing terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.

Where individuals or communities are targeted because of their Christian faith, such attacks must be thoroughly investigated and perpetrators brought to justice.

No Nigerian should be killed, kidnapped, displaced or intimidated because of religion, ethnicity, community or political identity.

CEPCCN therefore calls for stronger intelligence gathering, early-warning mechanisms, rapid response, community protection and effective prosecution of perpetrators. Christian lives must be protected. Religious freedom must be defended. Human dignity must be respected.

PROTECT EVERY NIGERIAN

CEPCCN believes that protecting Christians must never be presented as opposing Muslims.

Nigeria's security crisis is complex, with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, organised crime, communal tensions, economic interests and other factors sometimes intersecting.

The appropriate response must therefore be citizen-centred:

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.

INTERNATIONAL CONCERN SHOULD BECOME CONSTRUCTIVE PARTNERSHIP

CEPCCN believes Nigeria should respond to legitimate international concern through engagement rather than unnecessary confrontation.

The Council welcomes constructive cooperation with responsible international partners, particularly where such cooperation can improve Nigeria's capacity to protect lives and defeat terrorism.

Recent U.S.-Nigeria engagement has placed emphasis on counter-terrorism, intelligence cooperation, military training and broader security partnership.

CEPCCN believes such cooperation should be strengthened through appropriate intelligence sharing, technology, training, equipment, counter-terrorism assistance, humanitarian support and institutional capacity-building.

The objective should be measurable improvement in the safety of Nigerian citizens.

ACCOUNTABILITY MUST BE NON-NEGOTIABLE

CEPCCN calls for stronger accountability throughout the national security architecture.

Where terrorists, kidnappers, bandits or other criminal actors commit atrocities, they must be identified, prosecuted and punished according to law.

Where security personnel fail through negligence, corruption, abuse or deliberate misconduct, appropriate investigation and lawful accountability must follow.

Security operations must also respect constitutional rights and human dignity.

Effective security and respect for human rights are not contradictory principles. They should reinforce one another.

MEASURABLE SECURITY ACTION IS REQUIRED

CEPCCN respectfully urges the Federal Government to demonstrate through measurable actions its determination to protect citizens.

Priority areas should include:

• stronger protection for vulnerable Christian and other communities;
• improved intelligence and inter-agency coordination;
• faster response to credible security warnings;
• protection of churches, mosques, schools and vulnerable settlements;
• effective prosecution of perpetrators;
• disruption of terrorist and criminal financing;
• improved rural and border security;
• support and reconstruction for displaced communities;
• stronger community-based early-warning systems; and
• transparent communication concerning major security incidents.

These actions would strengthen public confidence and demonstrate Nigeria's commitment to protecting the constitutional rights of every citizen.

THE DANGER OF RELIGIOUS POLARISATION

CEPCCN cautions against allowing the security crisis to become a permanent conflict between Christians and Muslims.

Nigeria cannot defeat terrorism by dividing its citizens along religious lines.

The enemies of peace must not be allowed to transform legitimate concerns about Christian persecution into religious warfare.

Christian leaders, Muslim leaders, traditional leaders, professionals, civil society organisations and government institutions should therefore work together to reject extremism, hate speech and violence.

Recent efforts by Christian and Muslim leaders to promote religious harmony demonstrate the importance of interfaith cooperation in confronting extremism and division.

CEPCCN'S POSITION

CEPCCN's position is clear:

Every Christian life matters.

Every Muslim life matters.

Every Nigerian life matters.

Every credible allegation of persecution deserves investigation.

Every perpetrator of terrorism and criminal violence must face justice.

Every vulnerable community deserves protection.

And Nigeria deserves constructive international partnership rather than isolation.

The Council supports responsible international assistance while affirming Nigeria's sovereignty and the need for national security decisions to remain anchored in the Constitution and national interest.

A CALL TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

CEPCCN respectfully calls upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Executive to transform international concern into an opportunity for stronger security performance, greater transparency, deeper international cooperation and renewed confidence among Nigerians.

The most important question before the nation is not merely whether the term “genocide” is accepted or rejected.

The more urgent question is:

Are Nigerian citizens sufficiently protected from killing, kidnapping, persecution and displacement—and are those responsible being brought to justice?

That is the standard by which leadership should ultimately be measured.

CEPCCN believes Nigeria can and must do better.

The Council therefore calls for a renewed national security compact founded upon protection, accountability, intelligence, professionalism, justice, interfaith cooperation and respect for human dignity.

Nigeria must remain united.

Nigeria must remain sovereign.

But above all, Nigeria must remain committed to protecting human life.

CEPCCN NATIONAL DECLARATION

We stand for the protection of every Nigerian.

We condemn religious persecution in all forms.

We support justice without fear or favour.

We welcome constructive international partnership.

We reject religious hatred and polarisation.

We call for professional, accountable and effective security institutions.

And we believe that the protection of human life must remain the highest responsibility of government.

CHRISTIAN ELDERS AND PROFESSIONALS CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL OF NIGERIA (CEPCCN)

Faith • Wisdom • Professionalism • Service • National Transformation

“Champions of Professionalism and Wisdom in Christ.”

Issued under the Authority of the National Leadership

Signed Director-General (D-G)

Christian Elders and Professionals Consultative Council of Nigeria (CEPCCN)

Official National Consultative, Advisory and Policy Arm of the Christian Elders and Professionals Consultative Assembly in Nigeria (CEPCAN).