The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has dismissed claims that Christians are being specifically targeted for killings in Nigeria, despite multiple reports suggesting otherwise.
On Friday, the MFA, through its acting spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, stated that the country’s security challenges are not influenced by religious bias, nor are they directed at any particular faith group.
“It should be noted that the majority of incidents relating to insurgency and banditry that occur in the predominantly Muslim northern part of Nigeria are not targeted at followers of a particular faith or religion. Any narrative that seeks to give such incidents a colouration of religious persecution is erroneous and misleading,” the ministry said in a statement posted on its X (formerly Twitter) page.
The statement was issued in response to a decision by the United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, which approved sanctions on Nigeria over the widespread killings of Christians and the government’s failure to protect vulnerable communities. The MFA urged the international community to verify information before drawing conclusions, warning that inaccurate narratives could escalate tensions within Nigeria.
Examining the Reality: Are Christians Targeted in Nigeria?
While the Nigerian government insists that religious persecution is not a factor in the country’s violence, historical events and data paint a different picture.
In August 2012, an attack on a Deeper Life Bible Church in Kogi State during an evening Bible study left at least 16 worshippers dead after gunmen stormed the church and opened fire.
Deborah Samuel, a 22-year-old student, was lynched and burned to death by her classmates on May 12, 2022, after being accused of making ‘blasphemous’ remarks about Prophet Muhammad. Her family later revealed that Deborah was specifically targeted for her Christian faith.
On June 5, 2022, Saint Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, became the scene of a horrific massacre when attackers disguised in military uniforms gunned down dozens of worshippers at the end of a Sunday Mass.
Data on Christian Killings in Nigeria
A four-year study by the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA) provides further evidence of targeted violence. Between 2019 and 2023, the organization documented 16,769 Christian deaths out of a total of 30,880 civilian fatalities. Comparatively, 6,235 Muslims were also killed during the same period. Notably, Fulani herdsmen were linked to 55 percent of Christian deaths.
The situation worsened between May and June 2023, when at least 450 Christians were killed in a series of coordinated attacks in Plateau, Benue, and Nasarawa states.
Religious leaders have also been among the victims. In May 2021, Reverend Father Alphonsus Bello was murdered during an attack on Saint Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Katsina State. The same year, another Catholic priest and three parishioners were killed after a morning Mass in Benue State.
Similarly, armed assailants in 2022 killed multiple Catholic priests, including Vitus Borogo in Kaduna and Rev. Fr. Christopher Odia in Edo State, the latter of whom was executed by his abductors.
More recently, in March 2024, Catholic priest Sylvester Okechukwu, who was abducted from his Kaduna residence, was found dead after being missing for several days.
Government Denials vs. Ground Reality
While the Nigerian government maintains that religious persecution is not at play, these incidents suggest a recurring pattern of attacks specifically targeting Christian communities and leaders. The debate over whether these acts are fueled by religious extremism or broader security issues remains contentious. However, the statistics and testimonies of affected families indicate that Christians are disproportionately affected in certain regions.
The Nigerian government continues to face criticism over its handling of security threats, with concerns that inadequate responses to such killings may further embolden extremist groups. As international attention grows, human rights organizations and religious groups are calling for stronger interventions to protect vulnerable communities.
