For some years now, Christian communities in the North have called the attention of the government to something many have described as a “calculated killings.”
Government responses to the “Macedonian” cry for help by these northern communities have been somewhat slow to say the least.
This response among many things points to the inactive nature of the government to the plights of the Nigerian populace.
Over the years, there have been several reports indicative of an alarming levels of violence against Christians and churches.
For instance, the Open Doors International World Watch List 2024 ranked Nigeria 6th globally for Christian persecution, with a score of 88.
Similarly, an April 2023 report by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, indicated that at least 52,250 persecuted Christians have been killed in the last 14 years, for professing Christians.
Also, the Global Christian Relief says violence against the Nigerian Christian population is significantly localised in the north. “Nigeria has become known as the world’s centre of Christian martyrs.”
According to the organisation, about 4,000 Nigerians are killed every year by extremist groups – which it claims are often more than in the rest of the world combined.
Admitting the violence has been largely perpetrated by extremist terror groups, the organisation however, believes that the Nigerian government has not done enough to stop the killings that have rendered over four million Nigerians as refugees in their own country – mostly Christian farmers.
“The government of Nigeria has proved unwilling to condemn the levels of violence, which some call genocidal, or inept in its attempts to engage and neutralise extremist movements,” Global Christian Relief said.
Regina Lynch, the executive president, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN International), recently highlighted the relationship between peace and religious freedom.
The international aid organisation of the Catholic Church said religious persecution across the world was far more widespread than it used to be in the past; Nigeria inclusive.
“When I am in northern Nigeria or other areas that have suffered horrific atrocities, I see how much it means for people to know they are not alone,” Lynch said recently in response to Christian persecution in Nigeria.
Since Monday November 3, 2025, Nigeria has been in the news over ‘Christian Genocide’ following U.S. President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as ‘a country of particular concern.’
The U.S. government designates countries with severe religious freedom violations as countries of particular concern.
However, the Nigerian government denied the allegation, saying ongoing violence across the country is not affiliated to religious crises.
“Portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a targeted campaign against a single religious group is a gross misrepresentation of reality.
“Terrorists attack all who reject their murderous ideology — Muslims, Christians, and those of no faith alike. Christianity is neither endangered nor marginalized in Nigeria,” the government said in a statement posted on X on Sept. 28.
In light of this, many stakeholders including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have spoken for and against the purported ‘Christian Genocide’ in Nigeria.
On Tuesday, November 9, Pope Leo XIV added his voice to the killings in Nigeria, saying adherents of both faiths are victims of terrorist attacks in the country.
“I think in Nigeria, in certain areas, there is certainly a danger for Christians, but for all people. Christians and Muslims have been slaughtered,” Pope Leo said while leaving his Castel Gandolfo residence.
The Pope made this known while addressing issues about the safety of Nigerian Christians, adding that the killings in Nigeria are multi-faceted and called on the Nigerian government to take actions seen at deepening religious freedom across the country.
“There’s a question of terrorism. There’s a question that has to do a lot with economics…. Many Christians have died, and I think it’s very important to seek a way for the government, with all peoples, to promote authentic religious freedom.”
There is no doubt that insecurity remains one of Nigeria’s gravest challenges.
In May 2025, the West Africa Security Tracker recorded 329 security incidents and 554 deaths linked to banditry, insurgency, and abductions.
The report indicated that no religion or region was spared in the attacks and resultant deaths that followed.
“We mourn every life lost. The Church calls for urgent security reform, improved intelligence coordination, and community policing,” Taiwo Akinola, the presiding bishop, Rhema Christian Church & Towers, said during a recent press conference in Sango-Ota, Ogun State.
The clergyman advocated for better welfare package for security agencies to further strengthen the fight against insurgency. “Security personnel deserve better welfare, while faith leaders must continue to support trauma healing XS and reconciliation to restore national cohesion.”
The Nsukka diocese of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in a recent communiqué Issued at the end of the 2nd Session of the 11th Synod, called Government (FG) and all security agencies to act decisively and impartially to stem the tide of bloodshed across the country.
The communique, which was jointly signed by Kingsley S. E. Obeta, clerical synod secretary, and Aloysius EzeAgbo, the bishop of Nsukka, condemned what it called, “senseless killings of Christians and other innocent citizens across parts of Nigeria, which amount to a systematic persecution and silent genocide against vulnerable communities.”
It equally expressed concern over deepening insecurity, insisting that “no government can claim success while its citizens live in fear and displacement.”
The synod also aligned fully with the position of CAN in decrying the atrocities and denouncing the alarming culture of impunity that emboldens the perpetrators of the killings.
“Many believers have lost lives, property, and the freedom to worship peacefully,” said Akinola.
Akinola added that peace must be built on justice; even as the Church in Nigeria remains committed to peace, forgiveness, and interfaith harmony.
“The Church condemns these acts in the strongest terms and calls upon the government to uphold the constitutional right to freedom of religion, protect all worship centres, and bring perpetrators to justice,” he said.
