ABUJA, Nigeria – The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has denied reports suggesting it dismissed ongoing violence against Christians as a “so-called Christian genocide,” following a visit by presidential aide Daniel Bwala to its national secretariat.

In a statement issued Tuesday, October 21, 2025, and signed by CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the association described the report as “false and grossly unfair,” and reaffirmed its longstanding concerns over what it described as systematic and targeted attacks on Christian communities in parts of Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt.

The controversy stems from a meeting held on Monday, October 20, between CAN leadership and Barrister Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication. According to CAN, the purpose of the meeting was to discuss its position on recent comments by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who described the persistent violence as a “Christian genocide.”

Following the meeting, a statement reportedly issued by Bwala claimed that CAN rejected the genocide narrative, and that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of Nigeria’s insecurity crisis. However, CAN said the statement misrepresented the conversation.

“That portrayal is completely false and grossly unfair,” the statement read. “At no point did Archbishop Okoh use such words or express such a view. Referring to the tragedy as a ‘so-called genocide’ trivialises the pain of countless Christians who have lost loved ones, homes, and places of worship in targeted attacks.”

CAN emphasized that the meeting was recorded by its media team and reiterated that its leadership continues to view the attacks as part of a long-running pattern of religiously motivated violence.

“These are not isolated crimes but a continuing pattern that has persisted for years without justice or closure,” the association said, citing verified data presented at the meeting from independent research platform ORFA Africa, which documents religious violence across the continent.

CAN also clarified the identities of attendees, stating that some individuals named in media reports were not present at the meeting.

The association called on the Federal Government and security agencies to address the ongoing violence with fairness, urgency, and transparency, while urging public officials to communicate responsibly.

“Careless words can deepen wounds and undermine peace,” Archbishop Okoh warned. “Justice, truth, and compassion must guide every national conversation.”