- Safiu Kehinde
A combined group of Borno state Christian and Muslim youths have denied the alleged genocidal attacks on Christians in the state.
The group, under the aegis of Gwoza Youth Forum, on Sunday described reports of a Christian genocide in the area as false and misleading.
Mr Bulama Haruna, the forum’s National Chairman, denied the allegation at a news conference in Maiduguri.
The chairman, who was accompanied by a number of youth alleged that the Boko Haram insurgents had in past 15 years caused deaths and destruction of public and private properties in various Christian and Muslim communities in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno irrespective of the victims’ faith.
He listed Agapalawa, Amuda, Jubrili, Zamga, Angurva, Pulka, Bokko, Aiga, Dughufaka, Chikide, Barawa, Paigi, Kirawa, Ashagashiya, and Ngoshe, among the communities affected by terrorist attacks in the area.
“The deaths of respected leaders, including the former Emir of Gwoza, the Chief Imam, and several District Heads and Educators, demonstrate that Boko Haram targeted all religious faiths,” the chairman said.
According to him, the insurgents destroyed 134 Eid grounds, 356 Juma’a Mosques, 3,044 other regular Mosques, 97 Churches, Homes, Schools, Hospitals, including Gwoza General Hospital and 24 other Primary Health Care Centres.
Others places affected by the destructions were local markets in Barawa, Kirawa, Pulka, Izge, and Warabe communities, he said.
“Over 107 Primary and Universal Basic Education Schools and 15 Secondary Schools were also burned.
“Police facilities, including the Divisional Headquarters and more than 13 Police Outposts, were razed,” Haruna said.
The chairman said that “Christian genocide” distorts facts, undermines reconciliation, and threatens fragile interfaith peace.
“Such narratives risk creating new divisions, misleading public perception, and eroding the trust built over years of dialogue.”
He appealed to all stakeholders in the area to exercise responsibility, objectivity and sensitivity in making public statement.