Canadian lawmaker Andrew Scheer has accused the international community of turning a blind eye to what he described as the systematic persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
Scheer, who represents Regina–Qu’Appelle in Canada’s House of Commons, told Parliament and posted on X that Boko Haram and allied militias were waging a genocidal campaign that has killed 7,000 Christians this year, displaced 3.5 million, and destroyed three churches daily.
The former Conservative Party leader recalled Boko Haram’s abduction of schoolgirls and the burning alive of civilians, adding that many Nigerian worshippers now gather in secrecy or in charred church buildings. He urged governments, faith groups, and humanitarian organizations to show solidarity and provide relief.
American comedian Bill Maher also weighed in on his HBO show Real Time, describing the violence as “genocide” and citing figures of more than 100,000 Christians killed and 18,000 churches destroyed since 2009. U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Mace commended him for spotlighting the issue.
But the Nigerian government rejected the claims. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said reports of systematic anti-Christian persecution were “false and divisive,” stressing that terrorist attacks in the country target people of all faiths, including Muslims, Christians, and non-religious communities.
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