Nigeria, Nov. 6 -- The Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) has rejected the allegations of Christian genocide made against Nigeria by the US.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the regional bloc said that it was deeply concerned by the increasing violence and complex security situation in the region.

It described allegations of genocide as false, divisive and dangerous, adding that the crisis is driven by terrorist groups of various affiliations whose attacks "do not discriminate on the basis of religion, ethnicity, gender or age."

"Perpetrators of this violence target innocent civilians of all religious denominations, including Muslims, Christians, and adherents to other religions.

"As independent reports have confirme...