Nigeria (MNN) — Rapidly rising oppression in Nigeria caused it to replace North Korea this year as the world’s most dangerous place to follow Jesus. More about that here.
What’s driving the bloodshed? Unknown Nations’ Greg Kelley outlines three contributing factors.
First, “The Nigerian government is silent, and they are not holding people accountable,” Kelley says.
“It doesn’t matter who’s in control. There have been Muslim presidents and Christian presidents; apathy has been pervasive among leadership in Nigeria.”
Governmental apathy extends to foreign relations. Nearly 10,000 believers died in Nigeria between 2022 and 2024, but the U.S. State Department refused to call Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern in its latest ranking.
“There’s a ‘black eye’ when you get on those lists,” Kelley observes.
“There are implications with foreign investment, and if you scare off foreign investment, that is almost a shutdown on your economy in a place like Nigeria that’s struggling so much.”
The lack of repercussions drives a second factor of persecution: the increased intensity.
Rebecca, a Nigerian woman, watched helplessly with her daughter as Boko Haram militants killed her husband and son and burned her home.
(Photo courtesy VOM USA)
“People [are] beheaded, slaughtered; people’s homes [are] burnt to the ground. It’s incredibly violent activity,” Kelley says.
Lastly, “One of the great challenges is the apathy of the church in southern Nigeria as they look at the carnage taking place in northern Nigeria.”
Pray for relief as Gospel workers from northern Nigeria meet at a retreat center this week.
“Leaders will gather together to be refreshed and energized and just for their personal growth in Christ,” Kelley says.
Pray also that leaders receive the tools they need to further the Gospel. Partner with Unknown Nations here to help send God’s Word to the places that need it most.
“They (Nigerians) need the Word of God. That’s why we distribute our solar-powered audio Bible,” Kelley says.
In the header image, Nigerian Gospel workers introduce displaced communities to Christ using solar-powered audio Bibles called Treasures. Photo courtesy of Unknown Nations.
