Persecution of Christians in Nigeria
Christians in northern and Middle Belt Nigeria are often attacked by Islamist terrorists, including Islamic State, Boko Haram and the Fulani Islamist militia.
Tens of thousands of believers have been killed by these terrorist groups in the past 15 years. Massacres are sadly common; there are mass graves throughout the Middle Belt states. Many thousands of people have been displaced by the violence. Church buildings and the homes of Christians have been destroyed. Pastors and church ministers are often abducted by Islamists or armed criminal gangs.
While Muslims are also killed an subjugated by, for example, Islamic State in the country’s north-east, Islamist terrorists continually target Christians for their faith. This violence has grown to such an extent that Nigerian church leaders have argued that it now constitutes a genocide.
Religious freedom in Nigeria
The constitution of Nigeria guarantees religious freedom, and in the Christian-majority south of the country believers are often safe from attack and free to worship.
However, 12 states in the Muslim-majority north have adopted elements of sharia (Islamic law) include laws criminalising “blasphemy”.
In April 2025 the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) Court of Justice declared that these laws violate international human rights standards. However, ECOWAS does not have the authority to enforce its ruling, and the government of Kano State has said that it will uphold the laws.
How Barnabas Aid is helping
Thanks to our generous supporters, Barnabas Aid has been able to fund projects assisting persecuted and displaced believers in Nigeria with food, shelter and medical supplies, as well as Bibles.
Supporters are funding the upgrade and expansion of an Early Warning System designed to alert both Christian communities and security forces in southern Plateau and Kaduna states of impending attacks.
Information, intelligence, and sightings of terrorists will be shared on high-speed internet, delivered via satellite, ensuring that life-saving alerts will reach vulnerable Christian communities in Kaduna and southern Plateau states in real time. These alerts can also be shared with the security services in the region.
How you can pray
- Cry out on behalf of all those wounded, displaced or grieving as a result of anti-Christian violence in Nigeria, and ask the Lord to heal their physical and mental wounds.
- Pray for protection from terrorist attacks for Nigerian Christians; ask that they will find comfort in their faith and turn to Christ when they are afraid.
- Ask the Lord to bring peace to Nigeria, so that our brothers and sisters will be able to practice their faith freely.
