Christian coalition demands UN, ICC probe into alleged attacks on Christians in Nigeria
A coalition of over 30 Christian organisations has urged the United Nations and the International Criminal Court to immediately launch an independent investigation into what it calls a systematic campaign of violence against Christians in Nigeria.
Speaking on Thursday, Bosun Emmanuel, convener of the Christian Social Movement of Nigeria (CSMN), said recent killings in parts of the country appear to meet the international legal definition of genocide, as outlined in the UN Genocide Convention and the Rome Statute of the ICC.
The coalition, which brings together groups including Middle Belt Voice, National Christian Elders Forum, Apostolic Round Table, Stefanos Foundation, and others, called on international bodies to intervene, arguing that the Nigerian government has failed to adequately protect vulnerable communities.
Emmanuel praised U.S. President Donald Trump for raising concerns about attacks on Christians and for designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.
“We welcome his attention and urge continued support to prevent further loss of life,” he said.
He stressed that repeated denials from some government officials, religious leaders, and regional organisations including the African Union and Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, do not invalidate the claims.
According to Emmanuel, the authority to determine whether genocide has occurred rests solely with international investigators.
“International law clearly defines genocide, and only statutory global bodies such as the UN and ICC can verify such crimes.
”Local opinions, no matter how loud, cannot substitute for proper investigation,” he said.
The coalition called on the UN Security Council and the ICC to immediately send a team to Nigeria to assess the situation and verify allegations, emphasising the need for timely action to protect targeted communities.
The appeal comes amid growing international attention on violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where clashes between religious and ethnic groups have displaced thousands and left scores dead in recent years.
