Nigeria: Christians under fire in a silent crisis that is being ignored

In Nigeria, a persistent crisis of violence against Christians often goes unnoticed by the international media. For over a decade, Christian communities in this West African country have faced attacks, kidnappings, and the destruction of churches, frequently without attracting global attention.

Independent organizations warn that between January and August 2025 alone, more than 7,000 Christians were killed for religious reasons in Nigeria, and nearly 8,000 were kidnapped. Additionally, at least 100 churches have been destroyed so far this year.

Many of these attacks are carried out by armed groups associated with the Islamic State or other extremist militants operating in conflict-prone regions, such as the central and northern parts of the country. In a recent attack on a temporary shelter for internally displaced persons, dozens of worshippers were killed while they slept during an ambush that lasted several hours.

Testimony from groups like InterSociety is also alarming, indicating that the number of churches burned or destroyed far exceeds official figures, and that seminarians have been abducted (more than 140 in recent years) by armed actors.

According to some estimates, an average of nearly 32 lives are lost daily in Nigeria simply for professing Christianity. While these figures vary depending on the source, they reflect a clear trend of deterioration in security and the protection of religious rights. Religious persecution is not unique to Nigeria; similar patterns of violence targeting Christian communities are emerging in several areas of the Sahel and West Africa.