By Obinna Uballa
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has dismissed allegations of genocide in Nigeria and other parts of the region, warning that such claims could inflame divisions and undermine ongoing efforts to combat terrorism.
In a statement released on Tuesday, ECOWAS expressed deep concern over the rising spate of terrorist attacks in West Africa but emphasised that the violence affects people of all faiths and ethnic groups, rather than targeting any particular community.
“The ECOWAS Commission wishes to draw the attention of partners and the international community to the growing level of violence that terrorist groups of different identities have unleashed in some West African countries, including Nigeria,” the bloc stated.
It added that several independent reports over the years have shown that terrorist-related violence “does not discriminate on the basis of gender, religion, ethnicity, or age.”
“ECOWAS calls on the United Nations and other international partners to support member states in their fight against terrorism and to dismiss as false any claims that a particular religious or ethnic group is being targeted for extermination,” the statement said.
The organisation described such allegations as “false and dangerous,” noting that they could fuel mistrust, weaken social cohesion, and hamper collective security efforts across the region.
Reaffirming its commitment to regional peace and unity, ECOWAS urged member states to stand together against violent extremism and resist attempts to exploit religion or ethnicity for political or ideological ends.
“The entire world must stand with West African countries in the fight against terrorism, which targets all communities indiscriminately,” the statement concluded.
The remarks followed recent comments by United States President Donald Trump, who on October 31 designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” and alleged that Christian communities were facing systematic attacks.
The Nigerian government rejected Trump’s claims, describing them as inaccurate and inconsistent with on-the-ground realities. Abuja reiterated that extremist groups target citizens of all faiths and that the government remains committed to upholding religious freedom and national unity.
Trump had also threatened to halt U.S. assistance to Nigeria and consider possible military intervention if the alleged persecution of Christians continued, a stance that has drawn strong criticism from regional bodies, including ECOWAS, and from Nigeria’s diplomatic partners.
