Nigeria (MNN) — In 2023, Nigeria was the deadliest place to be a Christian, a fact which doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon. In January 2024, at least 30 Christians lost their lives, an average of one Christian per day.
Open Doors affirmed in its 2024 advocacy report that Nigeria continues to be the nation where Christians are most likely to be killed or kidnapped because of their faith.
Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs says, “Unfortunately, as as the pace of attacks has picked up, they have become less newsworthy, because it’s another day, another attack in Nigeria. Even the attacks over Christmas didn’t get the media attention that they should have.”
Fulani militants attacked at least 20 Christian communities in Plateau State on Christmas Eve, leaving more than 160 dead and hundreds wounded.
Christians make up 46 percent of Nigeria’s population, no small number. But the violence against them has been intense.
(Graphic courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs USA)
In response to the December attacks, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) led a peace march January 8 in Plateau State, Nigeria, calling for an end to the killings.
The governor of Plateau State received their letter of protest and promised to forward it to President Bola Tinubu.
“Every new leader of Nigeria promises that they’re the one. They’re going to conquer the terrorists, provide protection and provide religious freedom,” says Nettleton.
“We need to pray that that there will be a government leader in Nigeria that will actually succeed in those goals.”
A second call to action is, “It’s worthwhile to contact our government authorities and say, ‘Hey, what are you doing about the religious freedom issues in Nigeria?’ to let our government leaders know that we’re paying attention, that this is something we care about.”
Reach out to your national leaders today to press for justice for Nigerian Christians.
(U.S. citizens, visit congress.gov to find your representatives.)
Header image courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs.
