Borno Governor calls for unity as Muslims and Christians face violence together.

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has emphasized that the Boko Haram crisis is not a religious conflict, pointing out that Muslim victims outnumber their Christian counterparts.

He made the statement on Monday during a high-level meeting with leaders of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at the Government House in Maiduguri.

The meeting focused on how religious leaders and the state government can work together to improve security and foster lasting peace across Borno State.

Governor Zulum stressed the importance of dispelling false narratives that try to frame the violence along religious lines. “The Boko Haram attacks target everyone. Mosques and churches alike have been destroyed. This is an assault on humanity, not religion,” he said.

He highlighted that the statistics of victims show more Muslims than Christians have suffered death, abduction, and displacement. “This tragedy binds us all in grief and demands a united response. Suffering knows no sect,” he added.

The governor also discussed the state’s ongoing reconstruction and resettlement programs, noting that 45 Christian worship centres destroyed by Boko Haram have been rebuilt so far.

He emphasized the importance of community unity, explaining that families in Borno often include members of different faiths who live, celebrate, and grieve together. “This bond is our strength. We must protect it and let it guide all community interactions,” Zulum said.

The governor called on religious leaders to use their platforms to preach peace, tolerance, and shared values. “Let your messages promote unity and compassion. Speak against any voices trying to divide us along religious lines,” he urged.

He also appealed to the international community for support in addressing the root causes of the crisis, including poverty, hunger, and illiteracy, and in strengthening the military’s capacity to fight violence.

Responding, Most Rev. John Bogna Bakeni, Chairman of CAN Borno State and Auxiliary Bishop of Maiduguri Catholic Diocese, stressed that the solutions to Nigeria’s problems must come from within. “Nobody can solve our problems from outside. If we act on the governor’s guidance, we can have lasting peace,” he said.

Mal. Sa’adu Ngamdu, representing JNI, praised Governor Zulum for his proactive leadership and reaffirmed the Islamic body’s commitment to peace and collaboration with other faiths.

Both leaders emphasized that government policies and interventions must remain fair and non-discriminatory, focusing on humanity rather than religion or ethnicity, to build trust and peaceful coexistence.

Source: The Punch Newspaper