The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has spoken out against what it described as widespread killings in the country, cautioning that the situation should not be reduced to a narrative of religious genocide against Christians alone.
PFN President Bishop Wale Oke, in an interview published by The Punch on Sunday, said the fellowship acknowledges that genocide exists but insists that the violence affects Nigerians across different faiths. He called for an end to all forms of bloodshed, regardless of religious identity, and urged the government to fulfill its constitutional duty to protect all citizens.
“Our position is that genocide exists, but it is not just about Christians,” Bishop Oke said. “Our concern is that whether Muslim or Christian, the killings must stop. We don’t want Muslims to die, and we don’t want Christians to die.”
He warned against a cycle of retaliatory violence, saying Nigeria must not allow hatred to take root between adherents of different faiths.
“We don’t want a situation where there is genocide against Christians today and then it stops, only for there to be genocide against Muslims tomorrow,” he said. “What we want is a situation where genocide is stopped entirely – whether among Muslims or Christians.”
Bishop Oke stressed that government exists primarily for the welfare and security of its citizens, and that any administration failing to protect life has lost moral and constitutional legitimacy.
“When you don’t have governance that addresses the welfare of the people, the PFN will speak truth to power,” he declared. “Leaders in the political and other sectors must understand that the welfare of the people is paramount.”
The PFN leader urged Nigerians to resist divisive narratives that exploit religion for political or ethnic gain, adding that the fellowship would continue to preach peace, unity, and forgiveness as central tenets of the Christian faith.
“No innocent Nigerian should lose his or her life for any reason,” he said firmly. “Life is sacred – and must be preserved, irrespective of faith or ethnicity.”
Bishop Oke’s remarks come amid renewed concerns over deadly attacks in parts of the North and Middle Belt regions, where religious and ethnic tensions have continued to spark unrest. The PFN’s message, however, underscores a broader call for national reconciliation and collective responsibility in halting the violence.
“We will continue to pray for peace and for the hearts of those in power to turn toward justice and compassion,” the PFN president added. “This nation belongs to all of us – and it must not be destroyed by hate.”
