Concerns Grow Over Violence Against Christians in Nigeria
The Nigerian government has been deemed “largely ineffective” in combating ongoing violent attacks against Christian communities, which occur at a staggering rate of about eight times each day, according to Ryan Brown, the CEO of Christian aid organization Open Doors.
Brown remarked that the persecution faced by Christians, who make up over 40% of Nigeria’s population, is “well documented” and notably exceeds the violence experienced by other religious groups within the country. He urged the Nigerian government and international allies to take urgent measures to curb the alarming trend of mass killings and displacement.
Open Doors operates in various countries, delivering humanitarian support, advocacy, and prayer to vulnerable and persecuted Christians. Their presence in Nigeria helps them provide essential services, including trauma care and survival training for those affected by persecution.
The organization releases an annual World Watch List highlighting the most dangerous locations for Christians globally. In the latest edition for 2025, Nigeria ranked seventh—surpassing countries like Afghanistan and China.
Brown explained, “In recent years, there have been an average of eight violent attacks per day across Nigeria,” especially in the Middle Belt, which includes states like Benue and Plateau, where conflicts are particularly frequent. He detailed numerous recent incidents in that region.
From April 2023 to January 2024, there were 98 attacks on Christian villages in Mangu LGA of Plateau State, leading to significant casualties and property damage. Over the Easter weekend alone, at least 43 people were killed in Bassa LGA. Between June 8 and June 14, 2025, attacks on Christian communities in Guma LGA of Benue State left over 218 individuals dead and thousands displaced.
Brown noted that the evidence of targeted violence against Christians has been widely recognized. In October, Islamist groups with ties to ISIS made their intentions clear, issuing threats about targeting Christians in Africa. He added that last year, 3,100 out of 4,476 Christians globally killed for their faith were in Nigeria, making it the world’s leader in Christian kidnappings.
The troubling circumstances for Christians in Nigeria—characterized by mass abductions, massacres, and home burnings—have recently attracted international attention, especially following former President Donald Trump’s decision to add Nigeria to the State Department’s list of countries of particular concern for religious freedom.
Trump asserted that Christianity faces an “existential crisis” in Nigeria, attributing thousands of murders to Islamic extremists. He even hinted at potential military action to “completely wipe out” those terrorists targeting Christians, a statement that drew criticism from Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.
Tinubu countered, stating that portraying Nigeria as religiously intolerant misrepresents the country’s reality and overlooks governmental efforts to safeguard religious freedoms for all Nigerians.
Nigeria’s Information Minister echoed this sentiment, arguing that the nation’s portrayal as intolerant is inaccurate, emphasizing that extremists seek to divide the populace.
Contrasting the government’s claims, Brown stated, “Research shows that if you are a Christian, you are 6.5 times more likely to be killed and 5.1 times more likely to be kidnapped in Nigeria.”
He insisted that Open Doors’ extensive investigations have confirmed that Christians are often specifically targeted. “We need concrete action from our government to protect citizens, regardless of their faith,” he said.
While Brown acknowledged some positive steps by the Tinubu government in the northeast, where Boko Haram has been a longstanding threat to Christian populations, he called for similar efforts to bring justice against the Fulani extremists linked to 55% of Christian fatalities from 2019 to 2023.
The government has historically attributed much of the violence in the Middle Belt to “bandits” rather than acknowledging Fulani jihadists’ role, a narrative that many reject. Local testimonies indicate attempts to suppress discussions about the true nature of these attacks.
Reports surfaced recently of government pressure on local residents to refrain from publicizing jihadist incidents. In the wake of Trump’s remarks, attacks reportedly intensified in Benue State.
Despite increased scrutiny, the violence continued unabated, with sources claiming that perpetrators have grown bolder, targeting vulnerable communities without accountability.
Brown described local police responses as largely ineffective, citing delays in arriving at crime scenes and a lack of prosecutions. “Christian communities face significant threats from well-armed Fulani militants, and while some have attempted to defend themselves, fears of legal repercussions hinder many from doing so,” he explained.
He emphasized the importance of respecting national sovereignty while urging both the Trump administration and the Nigerian government to work collaboratively to address the extremist threat. “We call for immediate and substantial action to support Christians suffering from violence,” Brown concluded.
He encouraged Americans concerned about the crisis to raise awareness and support organizations aiding Christian relief and trauma services in Nigeria.
