Eric Prince Requests Support for Nigerian Christians
Eric Prince, who previously led Blackwater and has experience as a military contractor, has reached out to Pope Leo XIV for financial backing to provide protection for Christians in Nigeria amid ongoing violence against them.
In a reaction to a video from October 1, where the pope was seen blessing a block of ice to draw attention to climate change, Prince suggested to the pope that he had a “better idea.” He directly asked, “Would you please fund my colleague to protect Christians in Nigeria from genocide by Muslims?”
The severity of the situation was highlighted by a recent report indicating that around 200 Christians lost their lives in a single attack back in June, during which assailants reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” while targeting shelters for displaced individuals. In light of these events, the Pope expressed his hope for “security, justice, and peace” for the region, acknowledging the continuous violence faced by rural Christian communities in Benue State, as noted by the National Catholic Reporter.
Prince emphasized that the situation requires more than just humanitarian aid and diplomacy; he argued that Nigerian Christians need “an organized and professional defense.” According to reports, he conveyed that the goal is not to promote warfare, but rather to ensure the safety of those being persecuted for their beliefs.
Prince isn’t the only one advocating for protection for Christians in Nigeria. Republican Congressman Riley Moore from West Virginia recently sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In it, he urged the State Department to classify Nigeria as a country of particular concern (CPC). Under current U.S. policies, the president must annually assess religious freedom violations globally, designating countries that engage in “particularly serious violations of religious freedom” as CPCs.
Moore pointed out that Nigeria is increasingly becoming the most dangerous place for Christians worldwide. He noted that, just this year, a priest was kidnapped and killed on Ash Wednesday, and 54 Christians were martyred on Palm Sunday. Alarmingly, it’s estimated that around 7,000 Christians have died this year alone, with over 50,000 fatalities since 2009.
For context, Eric Prince is a former Navy SEAL, known for his military contracting background and support for Donald Trump. He became well-known during the Iraq War and was said to be involved this year in efforts to assist Haitian troops by sending mercenaries.
Furthermore, during his first term, President Trump issued pardons for four former Blackwater contractors involved in a controversial incident concerning the deaths of Iraqi civilians in 2007.
