In a troubling development, a Nigerian bishop recently faced threats following his appeal to lawmakers about the ongoing violence against Christians. Bishop Wilfred Anagbe revealed in an exclusive interview that his community has suffered four violent attacks in just four days, supposedly orchestrated by “terrorist jihadists,” right after he returned from testifying in Washington.
Non-Governmental Organization, Open Doors International, highlighted in their 2025 World Watch List that Nigeria ranks as one of the most perilous locations worldwide for Christians. Of the 4,476 Christians reported killed globally during the latest period, a staggering 3,100—around 69 percent—were from Nigeria.
The situation for Nigerian Christians is becoming increasingly dire, with some claiming they are being systematically removed from their homes by Muslim extremists. Bishop Anagbe expressed concerns in a public statement that the violence is specifically targeting Christian communities in the region.
He elaborated that “jihadist violence” is intensifying in Nigeria, with Christians appearing to be particularly vulnerable to assaults by Islamic extremist groups, including the Fulani extremists, Boko Haram, and ISWAP (Islamic State’s West Africa Province). It’s baffling to think that such acts of terror are categorized as religious persecution.
Worrying for his safety, Anagbe shared, “It was an attack on religious violence,” referring to the assaults on Christian neighborhoods. He believes there is a concerted effort by extremists to ensure that Islam dominates, undermining Christianity in various regions.
In Makurdi Parish, where Anagbe oversees, the community is predominantly Christian but has been increasingly threatened by ongoing attacks from Muslim Fulani extremists. Their plight was heightened during his parliamentary testimony in March when warnings about serious threats to his safety arose. Upon returning from the U.S., he was even detained, with officials hinting that his safety was at risk.
Following these concerns, Chris Smith, a U.S. congressional representative, issued a statement reflecting the disturbing pattern of violence following Anagbe’s testimony regarding the systematic abuse of Christians in Nigeria.
In a troubling twist, just before June, a series of attacks unfolded, prompting Anagbe to declare that these events were nothing more than terrorism aimed at seizing land from innocent villagers. He described incidents where a priest was shot, and numerous lives were lost or disrupted, forcing families into makeshift camps.
“The attack was so intense that even those who had evacuated to nearby schools were not safe,” Anagbe recalled. He stressed that the ongoing violence has been recognized as genocide, despite some individuals historically viewing his advocacy through a political lens.
Anagbe ended the interview with a heartfelt plea, calling for global awareness of these circumstances. He urged the world to learn from the past tragedies, including the Holocaust and the Rwandan genocide, highlighting that the global community often turns a blind eye in times of crisis.
The Nigerian government has yet to respond to media requests, but reports indicate that they have communicated with the U.S. concerning Anagbe’s claims of threats to religious leaders, promising they would conduct appropriate investigations.
