Easter in Nigeria: Christians Face Ongoing Persecution Amidst Grave Concerns

This Easter is marked by fear and uncertainty for Christians in Nigeria, as continued violence and persecution by Islamist militants raise alarming concerns.

The relentless attacks targeting Christians reveal a troubling narrative of a community under threat. Despite Christians making up about 46% of Nigeria’s population, reports indicate that the killing and persecution of believers by militant groups seeking to establish a caliphate have reached unprecedented levels.

Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern, emphasized the severity of the situation. He stated that Nigeria’s Christians are facing a genocide, urging global awareness of the dire reality. “Let’s start with the horrifying attacks on April 2-3 in Plateau State’s Bokkos County. Over 60 Christians were slaughtered, and 383 homes were torched,” he said. “Families were burned alive, and children were left homeless. This situation is gut-wrenching and has persisted for over 20 years, only growing worse.”

The Reality of Genocide

King asserts that the violence in Nigeria is not isolated but part of a calculated effort to erase Christian communities from their ancestral lands in the Middle Belt region. He shared harrowing statistics, stating that since 2001, approximately 100,000 Christians have been killed, while 3.5 million farmers have been displaced by fearsome attacks from Fulani Islamist extremists. These armed groups are reportedly well-equipped, often rolling into villages with AK-47s and machetes, committing acts of terror without any interruption from authorities. “This is a massive land grab disguised as a tribal dispute,” King continued. “What we are witnessing is a long-running covert jihad.”

Reflections from Survivors

Victims of these attacks have shared their harrowing experiences. A woman who lost her husband in one of the assaults told the ICC, “They want our land, our lives, our Jesus.” This statement encapsulates the fear and desperation felt by many in these vulnerable communities.

The Recent Surge in Violence

Tragically, just last weekend, ICC and local sources confirmed that an additional 54 Christians were killed after a Palm Sunday service in the village of Zikke, near Jos. The violence spanned a full hour, yet there was no intervention from law enforcement officials. This incident adds to a troubling pattern of assaults against Christians in Nigeria.

According to Open Doors UK, a Christian charity monitoring religious freedoms, Nigeria ranks seventh on their World Watchlist for 2025, which highlights nations where Christians face the most severe persecution. Ryan Brown, CEO of Open Doors US, reiterated the scale of the crisis. He stated that believers in northern and central Nigeria are subjected to extreme violence from multiple extremist groups, including Boko Haram, ISWAP, and armed Fulani militants. Thousands of Christians have lost their lives, while many more have been forced to flee their homes, leading to shattered communities and destroyed churches.

The Aftermath of Violence

Brown illustrated the long-term consequences of these attacks. “The recent violence in Plateau State adds another chapter to the ongoing story of religious persecution in Nigeria,” he said. Families have lost their primary income earners, and survivors face emotional and physical turmoil, living in displacement camps without access to necessary resources like food, education, or safe places to worship.

Understanding the Motivations Behind Attacks

Bishop Ayuba Matawal, who leads a committee for the welfare of Internally Displaced Persons in Bokkos, provided insights into the ideology driving the attackers. He suggested that these extremists are often indoctrinated with beliefs aimed at seizing land from Christian communities, mirroring historical expansionist ambitions in Nigeria. Despite their relatively small numbers, the extremists have inflicted significant harm on Christian populations.

A Call to Action from Global Leaders

In light of the ongoing violence, King has called for the U.S. State Department to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern. This classification could result in sanctions and other forms of pressure aimed at curbing the violence. King emphasized that financial and military aid should be halted until there is a clear reduction in attacks and accountability for perpetrators becomes a reality.

While a State Department spokesperson expressed concerns over the violence in West Africa, there was no specific mention of the ongoing attacks against Christians. They conveyed condolences to victims’ families and reiterated ongoing dialogues with Nigerian leaders regarding the roots of this violence, further calling for protections for all citizens.

The Vigilance of Christian Communities

The upcoming Easter weekend heightens apprehension within Christian communities across Nigeria. Bishop Matawal warned that church services and religious gatherings would be meticulously monitored this year for safety. “Nigerian Christians are bearing their cross every day, yet their hope persists,” King affirmed. “Easter represents life prevailing over death, and these Christians exemplify that message. We must amplify their voices and stand in solidarity with them.”

Despite reaching out to the Nigerian government for comments, Fox News Digital received no response regarding the current crisis. However, the situation underscores a critical need for awareness and action regarding the plight of Christians facing persecution in Nigeria as they approach the holy observance of Easter.