The Guild of Interfaith Media Practitioners Nigeria (GIMP-Nigeria) has advised the government on practical steps to address the country’s persistent insecurity, stressing that lasting peace can only be achieved through deliberate and sustained interfaith collaboration.

In a Christmas 2025 message released ahead of the celebration on Thursday, December 25, the group stated that insecurity driven by Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, kidnappings, terrorism, communal clashes and other criminal activities cannot be defeated through military action alone. According to the Guild, these threats continue to undermine national unity, economic stability and social trust.

GIMP-Nigeria condemned the ongoing killings, abductions and manipulation of religious identities, noting that places of worship, highways, farmlands and entire communities have increasingly become unsafe. The group said the situation has left many citizens traumatised, fearful and deeply divided.

The Guild observed that while military operations remain important, they have proven insufficient because Nigeria’s insecurity is not only sustained by weapons but also by deep-rooted mistrust, misinformation, exclusion and the abuse of religion. It described the crisis as both a security and societal challenge.

In the message signed by its Chairman, Abdulkarim Abdulmalik, GIMP-Nigeria stated:

“Nigeria’s insecurity is not only a security failure; it is a trust failure.”

The group emphasised that interfaith collaboration must no longer be treated as symbolic or ceremonial, describing it instead as a frontline security strategy that government can no longer afford to ignore. It explained that structured cooperation among Muslim and Christian leaders, media professionals and government institutions could significantly reduce violence by countering extremist narratives, strengthening early-warning intelligence at the grassroots, mediating communal tensions and discouraging hate speech.

GIMP-Nigeria called on the Federal, State and Local Governments to institutionalise regular engagement with credible interfaith bodies, support interfaith peacebuilding and counter-narrative initiatives, and integrate faith-sensitive approaches into national security planning.

The Guild warned that sidelining faith actors in a deeply religious and diverse society like Nigeria weakens the country’s overall security framework, noting that religious leaders and institutions remain influential voices at the community level.

The group also urged media practitioners to exercise professionalism and responsibility by avoiding sensationalism, religious profiling and conflict-driven reporting, particularly during sensitive religious seasons such as Christmas. It encouraged journalists to see themselves as agents of de-escalation and national cohesion through accurate, balanced and responsible reporting.

In addition, GIMP-Nigeria challenged faith leaders to speak with one voice against violence and to work with government to curb inflammatory preaching. The group reaffirmed that no religion condones the killing of innocent people.

Expressing hope as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate a season associated with peace, compassion and goodwill, the interfaith media group said genuine peace in the coming year will depend on courageous, inclusive and practical leadership.

It concluded by stating that Nigeria’s religious and cultural diversity is a strength rather than a curse, and called for a shift in the New Year from symbolic interfaith meetings to concrete, result-driven partnerships between government and faith actors aimed at building a safer and more united nation.