As a scholar of African politics, I know that calling the insurgency in Nigeria a persecution of Christians – as the U.S. administration has repeatedly done – is simplistic and ill-informed. Yes, Christians have been killed and kidnapped as part of the prolonged terrorism campaign by Boko Haram and other extremist groups. The Islamic State – West Africa Province, another major insurgency group, targets state forces and Christians. While the most recent high-profile attacks have been on churches, Boko Haram also targets markets, mosques and homes. Before the rise of Boko Haram, interfaith collaboration between the two groups was low.