 has rejected claims of a Christian genocide in Gwoza, Borno State, stating that Boko Haram’s insurgency is not targeted at any){kind=link}
By Francis Okoye, Maiduguri
The Gwoza Youth Forum (GYF) has rejected claims of a Christian genocide in Gwoza, Borno State, stating that Boko Haram’s insurgency is not targeted at any particular religion but is an attack on lawful order and humanity.
GYF emphasised that both Muslims and Christians have suffered greatly due to Boko Haram’s actions, citing destruction of mosques, churches, and other properties across Gwoza.
The forum responded to a Gwoza Christian Community Association ( GCCA ) publication in a national daily alleging a “Christian genocide,” describing such claims as misleading and potentially divisive.
GYF called for responsibility and objectivity in public statements to promote peace and unity in the region.
Addressing Journalists yesterday in Maiduguri alongside members, the National Chairman of GYF , Comrade Bulama Ali Haruna ( Sawa) , noted that in multiple communities including Agapalawa, Amuda, Jubrili, Zamga, Agajanra, Angurva, Attagara, Gavva, Pulka, Bokko, Aiga, Lahpara, Dughufaka, Chenine, Chikide, Barawa, Paigi, Arboko, Kirawa, Ashagashiya, Kwadale, Jimini, Warabe, Wala, Dure, Bita, Izge, Madube, Yamtake, Guduf, Nagadiyo, Buba Yagwa, Hausari, Wakane, Ville, Gadamayo, Limankara, Johode, Khughum, Jaje, Uvagha, Bulabulin, Hambagda, Kuranabassa, and Ngoshe Sama’a, Boko Haram terrorists destroyed 134 Eid grounds, 356 Juma’at mosques, and 97 churches across Gwoza Local Government.
Haruna further highlighted the deaths of respected leaders, including the Emir of Gwoza, the Chief Imam of Gwoza, Secretary of COCIN Church, the District Head of Ngoshe, District Head of Takombare, Principal of Government Day Secondary School Izge, and a local headmaster, all of whom were brutally murdered by insurgents
The Chairman GYF said these facts confirm that Boko Haram’s campaign was not a war against any religion, but rather an assault on humanity, peace, and lawful order, noting that for over a decade, Gwoza Local Government Area underwent extensive destruction
and human suffering in the hands of the terrorists.
Continuing, he said,” Once a symbol of interfaith harmony between Muslims and Christians, Gwoza tragically became one of the epicenters of Boko Haram’s terror and was declared a caliphate by the group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau in August 2014. We the GYF empathise with the pain and trauma endured by the Christian community, the claim of a “Christian genocide” is inaccurate, misleading, and divisive.
” We verified evidence, eyewitness testimonies, and independent assessments reveal that both Muslims and Christians were victims. The insurgents indiscriminately destroyed homes, schools, markets, mosques, churches, and assassinated both religious and traditional leaders in Gwoza. Ngoshe, Kirawa, Ashagashiya, and Gwoza General Hospitals were destroyed, along with over 24 primary healthcare centers.
” More than 107 primary and Universal Basic Education (UBE) schools and 15 senior secondary schools were burnt down. The Police Mobile Training School in Limankara, the Gwoza Divisional Police Headquarters, and above 13 police outposts were destroyed.
“Major local and international markets in Gwoza, Including Barawa, Kirawa,
Pulka, Izge, Warabe, Bita, Agapalawa, Boko, Gavva, Chenine, Gwoza Town,
Ngoshe among others were also razed to the ground.”
He said from June 2013 to 2015, hundreds of Muslims/Christians were repeatedly massacred, adding that between 15 and 20 June 2013, 30 Muslims were killed in Ngoshe, stressing that the killings of the Emir, the Chief Imam, and the Principal of Government Day Secondary School Izge, confirmed that Islamic authority figures were also targeted.
He noted that both communities have demonstrated resilience and unity, rebuilding with the support of the government and development partners, hence he said describing the Gwoza calamity as a “Christian genocide” distorts the truth, undermines reconciliation, and threatens the breakable peace the Gwoza people are rebuilding.
Such narratives he added, risk fueling new divisions, misleading public perception, and eroding the interfaith trust established through years of dialogue.
” The Gwoza Youth Forum therefore calls on the GCCA and all stakeholders to uphold responsibility, objectivity, and sensitivity in their public statements, for the sake of unity and long-term peace. The Gwoza Youth Forum (GYF) stands for truth, peace, and justice.
“This report confirms that the insurgency in Gwoza was not a genocide against Christians, but a shared tragedy that claimed the lives of both Muslims and Christians including revered figures,” said the GYF Chairman.
About The Author
