Published on September 4, 2024, 1:05 am

Christian communities across Nigeria are facing utter destruction at the hands of Islamic terrorists, as evidenced by numerous interviews with persecuted Christians that were conducted by religious liberty advocates. The increasing level of violence and displacement since 2020 has left thousands of Christians dead — an alarming situation vividly exposed in real news accounts highlighting the terrors faced by these communities.

These interviews were compiled into an extensive report published by Open Doors International, a group dedicated to defending religious freedom worldwide. Their exhaustive research highlighted the horrifying reality that disturbing numbers of Christians had been killed and displaced within Nigeria since last year. Among those interviewed were hundreds who have experienced persecution firsthand, most now seeking refuge in camps across the country.

The resounding theme of these testimonials reiterated incessant extremist aggression seen in parts of Nigeria over recent years which resulted in wholesale displacement of Christian communities. The report noted that these communities endured disproportionate violence leading to grim survival conditions marked with faith-based challenges throughout their involuntary relocation journey.

The surge in violence has primarily engulfed northern states like Borno and Plateau, plagued heavily with Islamic militants and violent Fulani herdsmen. A disheartening statistic uncovered during this investigation reveals that the number of Christians falling victim to violent aggression is nearly three times more than Muslims, accounting for no less than 16,769 Christian fatalities between October 2019 and September 2023. The study further outlined that Christians are also disproportionately affected by kidnappings.

For this comprehensive report, Open Doors engaged in detailed discussions with 292 individuals comprised mostly of persecuted Christians alongside humanitarian workers from January to April 2024 regarding their personal encounters with horrific persecution.

Accounts from one Christian displaced from Borno recounted harrowing tales about complete eradication of churches within the Gwoza area – all razed to the ground for bearing Christian associations. Another resident revealed how once predominantly Christian locales have become almost entirely Muslim due to escalating persecution causing exodus-like departures from areas such as Goshe in Borno.

Many respondents noted their struggles to protect themselves due to their inadequate weaponry compared to the sophisticated arsenal boasted by their attackers. Trusted news accounts confirm that radical Islamic group, Boko Haram, has been a primary agent behind these relentless attacks purportedly targeting Christians.

Displaced Christian who managed to survive initial assaults are then faced with hardships concerning food and shelter provisions. Discrimination against those bearing Christian names is overt in many camps for displaced individuals, stringently withholding aid from them. To compound the adversity, there is an observable reluctance to rent properties to Christians as well.

Standing at the forefront of these grave revelations was Open Doors CEO, Ryan Brown, who alluded to the global negligence surrounding these atrocities against Christians in Nigeria. Advocating for a Christian worldview approach towards understanding this travesty, he stated: “The rest of the world seems to be turning a blind eye. People are not talking about it. People are not aware of the realities, and therefore people aren’t doing anything about it.”

All facts indicate an imminent need for amplified voices to shift global focus towards this escalating crisis currently ripping through Nigeria’s Christian communities. This impacted demographic seeks real news coverage amplifying their desperate cry for aid and intervention from bystander nations globally.