(Photo: Open Doors)
As violence against Christians in Nigeria intensifies, the Nigerian government faces scrutiny over its perceived minimization of the crisis. Reports of attacks by Islamic militants have sparked international concern, with the U.S. taking notable action.
U.S. President Donald Trump has spotlighted the issue by labeling Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over the alarming situation faced by its Christian community. In a bold move, Trump ordered airstrikes on Islamic militant targets in northwest Nigeria during Christmas, with cooperation from the Nigerian government.
Despite aiding in these operations, Nigerian officials dispute Trump’s assertion that militants are “killing the Christians and killing them in very large numbers,” contesting the scale of the violence.
According to Open Doors, Nigeria ranks as the 7th most dangerous country for Christians worldwide, despite Christians comprising nearly half of Nigeria’s population.
The gravity of the situation is underscored by statistics showing that more Christians are killed due to their faith in Nigeria than anywhere else globally. This year alone, Open Doors estimates around 3,100 Christian deaths in Nigeria, part of a worldwide total of 4,476. The Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law suggests the number might be as high as 7,000.
In response, Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, declared a national security emergency last month, promising to expand the police force significantly. Although Tinubu claimed that Muslims are also victims of Christian attacks, evidence suggests such incidents are rare.
Christian leaders criticize narratives framing the violence as merely a “social conflict” over land and resources between Muslim herdsmen and Christian farmers.
Rev John Hayab, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, shared with The Telegraph, “There is religious persecution in northern Nigeria and I can tell the Nigerian government that the reason why we are not addressing it is because we are living in denial.
“If you are denying, it is as if you are supporting the man who is killing us.”
Tiffany Barrens, global advocacy director for Open Doors International, also told the paper, “Ten years ago, it was more about land and resources. What we have seen increasingly is that the religious element has become more apparent. I think people are afraid to recognise the religious element, because they are afraid it will lead to more division.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
