Daniel Okoh, a senior church leader and President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has raised concerns about a “genocide” of Christians in Nigeria.
“CAN has spoken clearly and courageously on this matter,” said Okoh, “and we stand by our position that there is Christian genocide in Nigeria.”
Barnabas Aid estimates that at least 45,000 Christians have been killed by Islamists in northern and Middle Belt Nigeria since 2009.
Christian Association of Nigeria President Daniel Okoh told reporters, “There is Christian genocide in Nigeria” [Image credit: The Sun Nigeria]
Okoh told reporters at a press conference that entire communities had been displaced, while abductions and killings remain a persistent problem.
“Across many parts of northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt, Christian communities have experienced unprecedented repeated, coordinated, and in many cases, clearly targeted attacks,” he said.
“These horrors have left thousands of people dead, countless widowed and orphaned, and entire villages levelled without justice or closure.
Read more: What is happening in Nigeria?
“It would be a grave injustice to deny the painful reality of what has transpired: lives brutally cut short, communities uprooted from their ancestral lands, families torn apart, churches razed and hopes shattered.”
According to an Islamic State West Africa Province social media post on 26 November “the soldiers of the Caliphate targeted a Christian” in Miringa, Borno State, “with machine guns, which led to his death, praise be to God”.
“Although we are pained that Nigeria is being spotlighted for such grievous reasons, if international attention is what is required to spur decisive governmental action to protect lives and bring lasting peace, then we, the Christian community in Nigeria, welcome it,” continued Okoh.
Another church leader, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, has also drawn attention to “targeted persecution of Christians”, adding that in some places “churches cannot operate and people can be hacked [to death]”.
“Is there genocide?” asked Ashimolowo. “We cannot say there is no genocide.”
How you can pray
Pray that the government and authorities of Nigeria, as well as international powers, will act carefully and wisely to address violent persecution of Christians as well as other problems of insecurity that affect all Nigerians. Intercede especially for our brothers and sisters left bereaved, injured, displaced and destitute by terrorists who target Christians for their faith.
