Nigeria has seen a “surge” in anti-Christian violence, including numerous kidnappings and murders, often taking the form of executions, according to recent reports.
“On June 3rd, three Christians were executed by the Islamic extremist terrorist group ISWAP.” Said “Islamic extremists allowed Muslims to escape but held Christians captive because of propaganda videos showing executions,” said Kyle Abutu, executive director of the International Commission on Nigeria.
“President Tinubu claims to be ‘catching militant terrorists’ but he has done very little to stop the frequent kidnappings and killings on federal roads and premises,” Abutu said.
“Where is the anger from world leaders?” he asked about the ongoing attacks on Christians. “Where is the anger from Nigerian leaders?”
On June 2, around midnight in Plateau state, central Nigeria, suspected Fulani Islamic militants killed a pastor, his wife, and three other Christians. According to the Christian Post.
On June 16, an armed assailant Kidnapped Father Christian Ike, pastor of St. Matthew’s Church in Ajali, southern Nigeria, after a service held in another part of the parish.
“When they reached Amagu junction, their vehicle was stopped by armed men in three vehicles,” said Father Lawrence Nwankwo of the local parish. Said “The two managed to escape, but the assailants took the priest and another person and also stole personal belongings from the occupants of the car,” the statement said.
Similarly, on June 9, Fr. Gabriel Uke Kidnapped He fled the rectory of St. Thomas Parish in Zaman Dabo, Kaduna State, northwest Nigeria, and was released 24 hours later.
“Father Uke once stayed in my parish for a month during his vacation.” Said Fr Moses Rorapu, Public Relations Officer, Makurdi Diocese, Benue State. “I had the opportunity to hear stories of the dangers that priests and parishioners face on a daily basis as a result of the relentless attacks by terrorists.”
“So his kidnapping was no news to me,” Father Rorap told Crux, a U.S.-based Catholic online news service.
Local Christians are blaming a “conspiracy of silence” for the ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria, which not only involves Nigerian government leaders but also members of the Biden administration in the United States.
“Kidnappings and murders are steadily becoming the norm and Islamic extremism is slowly winning. Their bigots in power make no attempt to disguise their mission to Islamise Nigeria, while Christians in similar positions have opted for political correctness,” Father Rorap said.
Rorap called on Western leaders to rethink their passive approach to the persecution of Christians in Nigeria “before a catastrophic explosion occurs.”
“The silent genocide of Christians in Nigeria continues under a veil of darkness, aided and encouraged by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken,” said Dede Laugesen, executive director of United Nations Mission to Save Persecuted Christians.
“It is absurd and horrifying that these souls, killed solely because of their Christian faith, are being ignored by those who have vowed to make their journey in peace, safety and security,” Laugeson said. “This is symptomatic of a concerted effort to suppress news of unchecked religious terrorism running rampant in Africa’s largest country by population, and I believe the U.S. government and media are complicit.”
This year, the bipartisan U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Repeated The State Department said it was “deeply disappointed” by the refusal to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), despite the country having repeatedly met legal standards.
Abraham Cooper, chairman and Frederick A. Davie, vice chairman of the United States International Relations Forum (USCIRF), said there was “no justification” for the State Department’s failure to designate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” despite its own reports and statements.
