Community Activist Kurtulus Warns Against Oversimplifying Northern Nigeria Crisis as Religious War
Ibrahim Kurtulus, a longtime community activist and observer of the Northern Nigeria conflict, has issued a strong caution against framing the ongoing violence in the region as a religious war between Muslims and Christians.
In a detailed statement responding to remarks by Father William Devlin, Kurtulus emphasized that such portrayals are not only factually inaccurate but also dangerous and counterproductive to peace efforts.
“For over two decades, I’ve engaged with diplomats at the United Nations, NGOs on the ground, and Nigerian citizens—both Christian and Muslim,” Kurtulus said. “The suffering is real on all sides, but labeling this as ‘Muslims murdering Christians’ erases the complexity of the crisis and risks inciting further division.”
Father Devlin, a known global advocate for persecuted communities, had recently described the violence as a campaign of “Muslims murdering Christians.” While acknowledging Devlin’s compassion and commitment, Kurtulus argued that such a characterization dangerously oversimplifies a crisis rooted in ethnic tensions, land disputes, terrorism, banditry, and failed governance.
“Yes, Christians face horrifying violence. But so do Muslims,” Kurtulus noted. “Attacks on churches and mosques, killings of imams and pastors, kidnappings, and village raids occur across religious lines.”
Citing several atrocities, Kurtulus reminded readers that Boko Haram and ISWAP have targeted both faith groups. He referenced the 2014 bombing of a mosque in Kano that killed over 100 Muslims, the 2021 massacre of more than 200 Muslims in Zamfara, and intercommunal violence in Plateau and Benue states that has devastated both Christian and Muslim villages.
Kurtulus called for responsible advocacy, highlighting reports from major international organizations.
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) says, “Conflicts between herders and farmers… are complex and cannot be reduced to religious terms.”
Amnesty International states, “Both communities have suffered and committed violence… Reducing the issue to religion obscures the deeper causes.”
Human Rights Watch (HRW): “Dozens of imams have been killed for speaking against extremism.”
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA): “Aid must be needs-based, not politicized along religious lines.”
“These findings are consistent,” Kurtulus stressed. “Religion is often used to inflame conflict, but it is rarely the root cause.”
He urged advocates like Fr. Devlin to acknowledge the full spectrum of suffering and resist narratives that demonize one faith community over another. “There are Muslim imams who have sheltered Christians, and Christian leaders who stand with their Muslim neighbors. These are the stories we must elevate.”
In conclusion, Kurtulus appealed for empathy, nuance, and shared humanity, “Let us be defenders of truth, not amplifiers of fear. The extremists must not be allowed to define the narrative. Terrorism is not Islam. The faith of over 90 million peaceful Nigerian Muslims should not be tarnished by the actions of a violent minority.”
He called on global voices to promote unity, truth, and justice for all victims in Northern Nigeria—Christian, Muslim, or otherwise.
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