Rising Threats to Nigerian Christians Amid Government Inaction
Nigerian Christians are facing mounting threats from armed groups, with government efforts falling short in addressing the crisis, according to Mervyn Thomas, Founder President of Christian Solidarity Worldwide. His remarks follow the release of 38 abducted members of the Christ Apostolic Church by Fulani militia, a rare positive outcome in a country where Christians face severe persecution.
Nigeria records the highest number of Christian kidnappings and killings globally. Although some kidnapped individuals manage to escape or are freed, others endure prolonged captivity. The Chibok schoolgirl abductions by Boko Haram in 2014 saw only 139 escape and 103 released through negotiations, while 91 remain missing, likely subjected to forced marriages or slavery.
Incidents of violence are escalating. Recently, Nigeria witnessed three attacks in as many days, alongside the mass abduction of over 300 students and staff from the Catholic St Mary High School in Niger state. Although 50 children escaped, around 265 individuals are still held captive.
Religious leaders in Nigeria express concern over the surge in militant activities during Christian celebrations. Catholic bishop Wilfred Anagbe earlier highlighted that attacks during such times have become “customary” in certain regions. Bishop John Bakeni has also warned of the violence’s “genocidal character” in some areas.
International attention is growing, with the United States redesignating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC). Thomas commented, “Nigerian civilians are under increasing siege by multiple armed non-state actors. This unprecedented rise in insecurity … highlights why the United States was right to designate Nigeria a CPC, and the urgent need for the government of Nigeria to respond decisively to both terrorist violence and systematic repression.”
He emphasized the importance of Nigeria’s engagement with the CPC process to secure aid for religion-related crises and accountability for the violence. Thomas also urged international media to report accurately on the situation, reflecting the complex realities without minimizing or sensationalizing the religious aspects of the violence.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
