By Christian Njoku
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – Archbishop Josef Bassey has insisted that killings of Christians in Nigeria, which amount to genocide, have persisted for years despite repeated denials by some individuals and groups.
Bassey, who is the Leader of Cross River State Christian Leaders Forum, disclosed this during an interview with journalists on Wednesday in Calabar.
He said the attacks have become routine, losing news value because they occur daily without consequence or meaningful response from authorities.
According to him, “The normalisation of violence has left many Christians feeling helpless and abandoned, leaving many of them as victims in situations with no hope of rescue.
“A renewed global attention led by the United States followed recent international interest, giving victims confidence that their cries could finally be heard,” he said.
He said some Nigerians deny the genocide out of fear for their lives, warning that silence is often driven by self-preservation, not truth.
He maintained that no Christian living in Nigeria can honestly claim ignorance of systematic killings and targeted attacks against believers.
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Commenting on recent airstrikes in Sokoto, Bassey said military operations are intelligence-driven, noting that command centres are often far from battlefronts.
He stressed that insurgency cannot be ended without targeting leadership and intelligence bases that coordinate violence across regions.
Bassey said Nigeria’s insecurity persists not because of military weakness, but a lack of political will and courage to confront vested interests.
He criticised recent statements by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) showing public support for the government amid worsening insecurity, as this has angered many Christians nationwide.
