Senior U.S. presidential adviser on Arab and African affairs, Massad Boulos
Senior U.S. presidential adviser on Arab and African affairs, Massad Boulos, has refuted claims of an ongoing Christian genocide in Nigeria, stating that extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISIS haveactually killed more Muslims than Christians in their attacks.
Boulos made the remarks on Friday during an interview following his meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the 2025 Aqaba Process Summit in Rome, a high-level gathering focused on regional security across West Africa and the Sahel.
> “Those who know the terrain well know that terrorism has no colour and no religion and no tribe,” Boulos said.
“We even know that Boko Haram and ISIS are killing more Muslims than Christians. People are suffering from all sorts of backgrounds. This is not specifically targeted at one group or the other.”
His statement comes in response to recent calls by a U.S. lawmaker urging the designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged persecution of Christians and advocating for sanctions.
*“Terrorism has no religion”*
Boulos stressed the importance of avoiding narratives that frame the violence in Nigeria through a singular religious lens. While acknowledging that Christian communities, particularly in Nigeria’s North Central region, have suffered devastating losses, he maintained that such violence is not exclusive to any religious group.
> “Any loss of life is one too many,” he said. “But definitely it’s not something that we can say is specifically targeted about a specific group.”
He described Nigeria as a multi-ethnic, multi-religious country, where diverse communities coexist within one federation. He noted that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of terrorist violence, and urged for a collective and unified response.
> “Terrorism has no colour or religion. What’s needed is a holistic and coordinated effort to protect lives and restore peace,” he added.
*Backing Tinubu’s security push
Boulos expressed optimism over President Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to address insecurity, noting that some of the administration’s security reforms are beginning to show signs of impact.
He pledged continued U.S. cooperation with Nigeria on counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, and strengthening civilian protection.
> “We should work together in partnership to put an end to this,” he stated, reinforcing Washington’s support for Nigeria’s battle against insurgency.
*Aqaba summit: Focus on regional stability*
The Aqaba Process Summit, hosted by King Abdullah II of Jordan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, brings together African, Middle Eastern, and European leaders to enhance cooperation in tackling insecurity in the Sahel and West Africa.
Participants include heads of state, defence chiefs, and top diplomats, with discussions centering on cross-border terrorism, arms trafficking, and the expansion of extremist networks across the region.
As violence continues to affect lives across Nigeria and its neighbours, Boulos’ comments underscore a growing international consensus that security threats in the region are complex, multifaceted, and require united global action—not polarising narratives.
