Nigerian Bishop Warns of Rising Anti-Christian Violence
(Photo: Aid to the Church in Need)
In a stark warning to the international community, a Nigerian bishop has sounded the alarm on the escalating violence against Christians in Nigeria, describing it as reaching potentially “genocidal” levels. The bishop has called for greater awareness of the threats posed by militant Islamist groups.
Nigeria, with a population that is approximately half Christian, sees more Christians killed for their faith annually than any other nation. The violence is largely driven by extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic Fulani Herdsmen.
According to a report by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) in August, over 7,000 Christians have been killed since the start of the year. The situation is particularly dire during Christian holidays, as Bishop Wilfred Anagbe highlighted in a recent address to the British House of Lords, noting that Christmas massacres have become distressingly “customary” in some regions. Read more.
Bishop John Bakeni from Maiduguri Diocese has brought similar issues to the attention of the British Parliament. He emphasized that religion plays a significant role in the violence, stating, “Whilst the conflict is not solely about religion, it is equally simplistic not to see the religious dimension as a significantly exacerbating factor especially as churches, priests and other potent symbols of Christianity are attacked, seemingly with impunity.”
He further explained that the violence has worsened over recent years, with churches being primary targets in many of the attacks. Criticism has been directed at Nigerian security services for their inadequate response to the violence, even when prior warnings of attacks are received. In some incidents, security forces have been under-equipped to confront the militants effectively.
One notable attack occurred in June, when over 270 individuals were killed by Fulani militants in Yelewata, Benue State. Bishop Bakeni recounted, “The first place they attacked was the local Catholic church, mercifully a small police patrol held them off, but instead they targeted the undefended center of town.”
In areas where Christian communities once thrived, Bishop Bakeni reported that extremists have effectively erased their presence, with some attacks taking on a “genocidal character.” He noted that in certain instances, over 1,000 vulnerable people were killed in a single night.
In the Diocese of Maiduguri, Boko Haram’s violence had left over 200 churches and chapels damaged by spring 2017. In Borno State, the violence displaced 1.8 million people.
The bishop also reminded of the notorious 2014 kidnappings by Boko Haram, where many of the abducted Chibok girls remain unaccounted for. He asserted, “We must be brave and have the courage of our convictions to say, whilst the causes are complex, climate change never kidnapped the Chibok girls, killed priests, or burned down churches.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
