A Kano-born Nigerian, Mr. Suleiman Isah, who gained public attention after marrying a 46-year-old American woman, has dismissed reports of an alleged “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, describing them as “false and misleading.”
Isah, who joined the United States Army two years ago and serves under the California Army National Guard — a formation with more than 18,000 soldiers — made his position known in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page.
“I ain’t gonna invade my home country and kill my own parents over a false Christians genocide,” he said, reacting to claims that alleged religious persecution in Nigeria could trigger foreign military intervention.
He explained that while he condemns all forms of violence and the killing of innocent citizens, portraying Nigeria’s security crisis as a war against Christians was both inaccurate and deceptive.
“I ain’t trying to disregard the killing of innocent Christians and Muslims in Nigeria,” he added. “Shekau, Bello Turji, Dogo Gideh and others aren’t targeting any specific religion.”
Isah’s comments come amid renewed international debate over sectarian violence in parts of northern Nigeria, where insurgents and bandit groups continue to carry out attacks.
The Federal Government has consistently maintained that the violence in the country is not religiously motivated, stressing that both Muslims and Christians have been victims of terrorism and banditry.