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More Muslims Killed in Nigeria Than Christians — MACBAN Makes Shocking Claim
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has stirred nationwide debate after its National President, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, declared that more Muslims have died in violent attacks across the North-West than Christians in the Middle Belt.
The national president made the claim while speaking on a television program on Friday.
Ngelzarma said the situation has been misrepresented for years. He explained that the crisis varies from one region to another and warned against interpreting every attack as a campaign against Christians.
According to him, the headline narratives do not reflect the wider realities on the ground.
He dismissed the idea of a deliberate religious agenda, saying the conflict is shaped by many factors.
Othman Ngelzarma mentioned ethnicity, grazing disputes, and long-standing community battles as drivers of the killings.
“There are reports and allegations of violence and persecution of Christians in Nigeria, but in my own view, I don’t see it as a Christian genocide because the crisis differs from place to place, depending on where it is taking place”.
Ngelzarma recalled several past incidents to support his position. He pointed to the 2017 violence in Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State, describing how “over 700 pastoralists were killed in two days.” He said the episode was the result of a farmer-herder confrontation that turned deadly.
MACBAN president also linked the situation in Benue to the introduction of the anti-open grazing law in 2014.
He noted that since the state is overwhelmingly Christian, clashes automatically record more Christian deaths.
“There are killings on the Christian side more than the Muslim side in Benue,” he said, adding that poor enforcement of the grazing law intensified hostilities.
On Plateau, he described the conflict as a deep-rooted struggle between indigenes and settlers. He insisted it should not be reduced to a faith-based war.
“In Plateau, it has a long history of religious conflict, but after that, the fight went into the forest, and the indigenes of Plateau started killing pastoralists. It is not a Christian–Muslim issue,” he said, blaming the present government for the rise in killings in Mangu.
Ngelzarma also addressed Boko Haram’s insurgency. He argued that despite global focus on Christian casualties, the group’s attacks overwhelmingly affected Muslims.
“Boko Haram… killed many Muslims. 90% were all Muslims, but what has been highlighted are the Chibok girls because Chibok is a Christian community. The majority of the girls who were taken in Dapchi are Muslims,” he stated.
He then turned attention to the North-West.
Ngelzarma said violent deaths in Zamfara and Katsina far outnumber those recorded in Middle Belt communities, stressing that the conflict is often “Muslims versus Muslims.”
He urged Nigerians to stop framing the crisis along a single religious line. “The situation with Nigeria is complex… If you call it anything, then call it genocide against humanity,” he said.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has approved the payment of a 13th-month pension bonus to all pensioners in the state, as well as a one-off welfare support of N10,000 in November 2026.
Speaking at the Ibom Hall grounds in Uyo on Friday, during the presentation of a merit award by the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and an endorsement of his second-term bid, Eno said pensioners deserved to rest well after their meritorious service to the state.
Eno said he was particularly impressed by the pensioners’ sense of gratitude and assured them that the state government, under his leadership, would continue to prioritise the welfare of pensioners and elderly citizens.
He said, “This is indeed humbling to me. It shows that you are truly technocrats with a laudable sense of organisation. You may be retired but not tired. I celebrate and appreciate you greatly.
“I am now directing that N10,000 be added to the November 2026 pension payment of every pensioner in support of your welfare.”
He urged them to enrol in the state’s health insurance scheme, which he said was free for people aged 65 and above, to enable them to enjoy quality healthcare.
Eno recalled that he had promised to clear the backlog of gratuities, adding that N100bn had so far been paid from the accumulated N111bn owed since 2012. He assured the pensioners that the outstanding balance would be cleared before the end of his first term.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for making funds available to states, saying this had enabled him to fulfil his promise to clear the gratuity arrears.
Eno called on the pensioners to vote massively for Tinubu in the 2027 elections, saying this would ensure the continued availability of funds for the prompt payment of gratuities and pensions, as well as other welfare packages.
He also urged pensioners from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District to vote for the re-election of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Responding, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Mazi Godwin Ikechukwu Abumisi, commended Eno for what he described as his compassion and care for pensioners in the state.
Abumisi also praised Eno’s leadership and development efforts and urged pensioners across the state to support his second-term bid in 2027.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Pastor Sylvester Nkodo, thanked Eno for his leadership, saying his commitment to the welfare of elderly people and retired public servants was heartwarming.
“Governor Umo Eno is a true leader with the heart for humanity who deserves prayers and support from the people. I urge pensioners to support his administration,” he said.
The National Assembly has confirmed that 28 State Houses of Assembly have approved the proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria, paving the way for the constitutional amendment bill to be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
According to the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the 28 approvals exceed the two-thirds majority required under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, which translates to 24 states. The National Assembly can therefore proceed with the next stage of the process towards presidential assent.
The bill was forwarded to the 36 state assemblies on September 16, 2026, for consideration, with October 15 initially set as the deadline for them to communicate their decisions. Ogunlana, however, said his office would continue to receive and verify reports from the assemblies ahead of the bill’s transmission to Tinubu.
The 28 states that have approved the proposed establishment of state police are listed below:
Adamawa
Delta
Edo
Kwara
Nasarawa
Ogun
Osun
Oyo
Plateau
Rivers
Taraba
Zamfara
Enugu
Anambra
Imo
Ekiti
Kebbi
Akwa Ibom
Bayelsa
Benue
Cross River
Abia
Yobe
Kaduna
Lagos
Kano
Sokoto
Ebonyi
A new political prediction has emerged ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with a state-by-state electoral map showing the states former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi are projected to win.
The prediction, published by Statecraft, outlines the expected performance of the three major political figures across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the prediction, Tinubu is projected to win 15 states and the FCT, Atiku is expected to secure nine states, while Obi is tipped to emerge victorious in 12 states.
The map, which uses orange, blue and white colours to distinguish the three presidential contenders, provides a breakdown of the states each candidate is projected to win.
States Tinubu Is Projected to Win
According to the prediction, Tinubu is expected to win.
The FCT is also included in Tinubu’s projected victories.
States Atiku Abubakar Is Projected to Win
The former vice president is projected to win nine states.
States Peter Obi Is Projected to Win
Meanwhile, Obi is projected to secure 12 states.
The breakdown suggests a competitive presidential contest, with the three political figures projected to command support across different regions of the country.
Interestingly, the prediction places Tinubu ahead with 15 states and the FCT, followed by Obi with 12 states and Atiku with nine states.
However, it is important to note that the map represents Statecraft’s political prediction and not an official election result, an opinion poll or a declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The actual outcome of the 2027 presidential election will be determined by voters when Nigerians head to the polls.
The prediction has also raised questions about the possible political realignments, regional voting patterns and factors that could shape the contest in 2027.
JUST IN: Nigerian Gov Approves 13th-Month Bonus
Full List: 28 States That Approved State Police
