Christian genocide: group denies media reports that there is religious killings by Boko Haram in Gwoza

Christian genocide: group denies media reports that there is religious killings by Boko Haram in Gwoza

By MaduMohammed, Maiduguri

A group known as Gwoza Youth Forum ( GYF has denied a reports by a group under the umbrella of Gwoza Christian Community Association ( GCCA in a briefing published by some national dalies alleging that there is Christian genocide by Boko Haram insurgents in Gwoza local government area of Borno state.

The group which comprises both Muslims and christians indigenes in the local government argued that there is indiscriminate killings by Boko Haram insurgents, as both Imam and pastors, as well as mosque and churches were targeted by Boko Haram.

The GYF in a press Briefing held at the Borno Correspondents Chapel Office, Maiduguri on Sunday and read by its, National President, Hon Haruna Sawa said that the over 15 year Boko Haram insurgency has cost thousands of lives and property worth billions of Naira destroyed in the state and other parts of Northeast is targeted at both Muslims and Christians and that is just an assault on innocent citizens.

The press briefing was a response to a publication made by Gwoza Christian Community Association ( GCCA ) over alleged Christian genocide in Gwoza local government area of the State with the title ” The Unspoken Genocide: GCCA Account on Christian Persecution in Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State.

Hon. Sawa said that in multiple communities including Agapalwa, Amuda, Jubrili, Zamga, Agajanra, Angurva, Attagara, Gavva, Pulka, Bokko, Aiga, Lahpara, Dughufaka, Chenene, 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 destroyed 134 Eid grounds, 356 Juma’at mosques, 3,044 other mosques, and 97 churches across Gwoza Local Government, stressing that these numbers leave no doubt that, the destruction was indiscriminate, not faith based.

The group, therefore, called on 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.

Debunking the unverified facts by the publication issued by the Gwoza Christian Community Association (GCCA) in the Leadership Newspaper of October 30, 2025, titled “The Unspoken Genocide, Hon Sawa said the claim are false, untrue and a fabrication to bring dusunity among the people of Gwoza Community.

The GYF 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 insurgent is a pointer that the attack by the insurgents is non religious,.

He 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.

“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.”, the group said.

“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, the President argued.

The group said ” 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.”, further stressed.

The President 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 said 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.

He also said narratives risk fueling new divisions, misleading public perception, and eroding the interfaith trust established through years of dialogue..

“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,” , he added.