CG: There Was This Danish Cartoon About Prophet Muhammad In Denmark, Nigerians Paid The Price-Utto

British-trained lawyer and public affairs analyst, Franc Utto has raised concerns over what he described as persistent violence against Christians in northern Nigeria, linking some of the attacks to global religious controversies that have spilled into local communities.

Utto made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television while reacting to debates around alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria, particularly in the North. He argued that Nigerian Christians have, in several instances, borne the brunt of violent reactions triggered by events far beyond the country’s borders.

“There was a time that there was this Danish cartoon about Prophet Mohammed in Denmark, Nigerians paid the price because they are Christians. That is genocide,” Utto said.

He was referring to the violent protests that followed the publication of cartoons depicting Prophet Muhammad by a Danish newspaper in the mid-2000s. The protests, which occurred in parts of northern Nigeria, resulted in attacks on Christian communities, churches and businesses, leading to loss of lives and displacement.

According to Utto, the incident shows a troubling pattern where local Christian populations become targets of anger over international issues they have no connection to. He described this as a major human rights concern that continues to undermine peaceful coexistence in the country.

The lawyer noted that such episodes point to deeper problems of religious intolerance and weak enforcement of the rule of law. He argued that failure to hold perpetrators accountable has emboldened extremist elements and prolonged cycles of violence.

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