.jpg "It’s Christians Killing Christians” — Governor Soludo Speaks on Insecurity in Nigeria’s Southeast")
Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has stirred nationwide conversation with his recent remarks on the nature of insecurity in Nigeria’s southeastern region. Speaking on the ongoing killings and unrest, Soludo emphasized that the violence in the East is not religiously motivated but rather a tragic case of “Christians killing Christians.”
Addressing questions about the Nigerian government’s role in safeguarding lives and properties, Soludo said there is a need for a “deeper conversation” about the country’s internal issues, rather than external interference or mischaracterization of the crisis.
“In this part of the world, Eastern Nigeria, it is not religious,” Soludo stated. “People are killing themselves — Christians killing Christians. The people in the bushes are Emmanuel, Peter, John — all Christian names — and they have maimed and killed thousands of our youths. It has nothing to do with religion.”
Soludo stressed that while countries like the United States are entitled to express their views on Nigeria’s internal affairs, their criticisms should remain within the framework of international law.
He drew a comparison with America’s Black Lives Matter protests, questioning whether African nations should intervene in the U.S. over police violence against black citizens.
“You have policemen killing some blacks… I remember the Black Lives Matter protest. Should Africa invade America because blacks are being killed? I don’t think so,” he added.
The governor further called for constructive dialogue and a united approach to resolving insecurity, noting that the federal government is making significant efforts to safeguard the nation.
“There is a need for deeper conversation. It must end in conversation. Nigeria is such a big country, and the government is doing a whole lot to keep it safe. In this part of the country, we are 95 percent Christians, and those in the bushes committing crimes also bear Christian names. It’s beyond the religious divide of Christians and Muslims. Nigeria will overcome.”
Soludo’s statement has since sparked discussions online, with many Nigerians reacting to his bold assertion that the violence in the Southeast is homegrown and self-inflicted, not driven by religious differences.