Urgent Call for Global Attention to Christian Persecution in Nigeria
Two years ago, I experienced a harrowing kidnapping by Boko Haram. They imprisoned me, and each day I prayed for the chance to see my family again. Miraculously, I managed to escape.
Unfortunately, many Christians captured by this insidious group never have the opportunity to share their stories. If the international community doesn’t step in, incidents of kidnapping and violence like mine are likely to rise, not just in Nigeria, but across Africa, posing threats worldwide.
Nowadays, I find myself touring Nigeria, participating in relief efforts. Violence has been escalating rapidly through central Nigeria, leaving devastation in its wake: mass graves and shattered lives. Just this year, over 7,000 Christians lost their lives, and entire villages, primarily those belonging to Christian farming communities, have been obliterated. Many families are now traumatized, living in makeshift camps and uncertain if they will ever return home.
In early April, coordinated attacks in the Boccos region resulted in hundreds of fatalities within just one week. In one community attack, 52 lives were lost, and thousands were left displaced. Later that month, a pre-dawn assault in an area known as Bassa took the lives of at least 51 people. The attackers moved quietly, igniting homes and killing families as they slept. Following that, ambushes and targeted attacks persisted in Riyom, with one bus ambushed and 12 passengers murdered instantly.
These aren’t just random acts of violence; they are systematic attempts to eliminate the Christian population from the area.
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Having walked through charred villages and prayed with survivors, I can assure you that the situation is even more dire than the statistics suggest. I’ve witnessed mothers grieving next to mass graves, and the odor of smoke from burnt churches lingers on my clothes. I’ve spoken with children who can’t find peace in sleep, constantly fearing another attack.
Contrary to what some government officials claim, this is not merely a “conflict” between farmers and herders—it’s terrorism. It’s ethnic and religious cleansing masquerading as a land dispute.
Despite this, the Nigerian government continues to downplay the severity of the crisis and fails to provide adequate protection, food, and medical aid to those displaced. Local leaders even discourage community members from speaking to the media. Yet, remaining silent won’t safeguard us.
“I’ve seen mothers crying next to mass graves. The smell of smoke from the smoldering remains of churches and schools still clings to my clothes.”
The primary responsibility of the Nigerian government is to protect its citizens. This starts with deploying well-resourced security forces to protect vulnerable communities, particularly during crucial planting and harvest seasons. Humanitarian corridors must be established to deliver essential aid to the thousands who find themselves in desperate situations.
Additionally, independent research is crucial. Impunity fosters these heinous acts; perpetrators must be held accountable, irrespective of political or tribal alliances. Simultaneously, the political class must stop using our suffering as a ploy for gain. I’ve heard politicians mention the blood of victims during campaigns while refusing to act—this must end. The lives of our people shouldn’t be bargaining chips.
The United States and other Western nations can’t turn a blind eye either. They bear a moral duty, alongside a diplomatic ability to hold Nigeria accountable. I believe the U.S. State Department should once again designate Nigeria as a Country of Special Concern due to significant violations of religious freedom. This would send a strong message that the world is observing, and that the killing of Christians in Nigeria will not go unnoticed.
International partners should amplify support for independent investigations and humanitarian efforts. During my visits to various camps, I’ve seen the daunting needs. In some locations, there isn’t even a caregiver for the injured, families survive on merely one meal a day, and children drink from muddy puddles. Many kids haven’t attended school for months. The international community could finance housing repairs and offer psychosocial support for those grappling with unimaginable loss.
The victims of these atrocities aren’t soldiers or combatants; they are simply families, children, and the elderly. All they seek is a peaceful life, to tend to their fields, and to worship freely. However, they are being targeted by hate.
If immediate action isn’t taken, we risk seeing the complete elimination of the Christian community in Nigeria’s middle belt. The terror could extend across Africa’s Sahel region, ultimately threatening global security.
The world’s indifference will be remembered as complicity.
As a survivor of Boko Haram’s horrors and a witness to ongoing genocide, I plead with the international community: don’t look away. The suffering is genuine and escalating.
Nigeria is in turmoil, but it doesn’t have to be like this. With bravery and support from the global community, we can halt this genocide and embark on a lengthy recovery process.
