February 7, 2025
Christians in Northern Nigeria Brace for Christmas Violence
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Christians in Northern Nigeria Brace for Christmas Violence

Dec 13, 2024

The Plight of Nigerian Christians: A Crisis of Faith and Survival

Over the past decade, Nigeria has tragically become the global epicenter of Christian martyrdom. From 2009 to 2023, more than 50,000 Christians were killed, and millions were displaced from their homes. While some try to downplay the religious motivations behind these attacks, the truth becomes undeniable when violence peaks during sacred occasions like Christmas.

Last year, Christmas celebrations turned into tragedies for many Nigerian Christians, as a series of lethal attacks killed and maimed hundreds. With Christmas approaching again, fear overshadows festivities for many believers in the region.

Living Under Threat
“Considering the ongoing violence and persecution, many churches will have police or security personnel present this Christmas,” shared Samuel, a Nigerian Christian currently studying in the United Kingdom. A native of Kaduna State, Samuel recalls the horrors of Christmas 2022, when dozens of Christians were murdered, and an Easter attack in 2012 that claimed similar lives.

Samuel explains that safety precautions are now part of life for Christians in northern Nigeria. Churches in the region often rely on private security to protect their congregations as trust in the authorities remains low.

A Targeted Minority
Although Christians make up nearly half of Nigeria’s population, they face relentless persecution in the predominantly Muslim northern region. Attacks by groups like Boko Haram, Islamic Fulani militants, and other jihadist factions are often seen as part of a calculated effort to drive Christians out and establish a caliphate.

“Growing up in the North, fear became a constant companion,” Samuel explained. “Christians live with the grim certainty that attacks will happen. It’s not a matter of ‘if,’ but ‘when.’”

While some threats turn out to be false alarms, most attacks occur without warning. The perpetrators often escape justice, and corruption within security agencies further compounds the problem.

Systemic Challenges
“Some security agents are corrupt and even collude with the attackers,” Samuel lamented. “On top of that, many Christians believe politicians sponsor these attacks for religious or political reasons.”

Efforts by the Nigerian government to counter the violence, such as airstrikes on suspected militant groups, often result in civilian casualties and fail to deter attackers. Amnesty programs reintegrating former militants have only worsened the situation, as many return to violence.

Apathy from the International Community
Despite the scale of persecution, the global response has been alarmingly muted. In 2024, Nigeria was not listed by the U.S. Department of State as a Country of Particular Concern for religious freedom violations. This omission is striking given that over 80% of the 5,000 Christians killed worldwide in 2023 were Nigerian.

Western media coverage frequently avoids acknowledging the religious dimension of these attacks, instead attributing them to ethnic conflicts or climate change. Samuel believes this is not due to fear but indifference.

“Western media is so secular; they don’t care about Christianity,” Samuel said. “Even Western churches seem indifferent. It feels like we are fighting this battle alone.”

A Plea for Action
As violence escalates, Samuel worries deeply for future generations of Christians in Nigeria.

“No one should endure what we face in northern Nigeria,” he said. “If anyone can help, the time to act is now.”

As the world prepares to celebrate Christmas, let us remember those for whom this season is marked by both faith and fear. Their plight calls for not just prayer but decisive action to address a crisis that has persisted for far too long.

Names have been changed for security reasons.

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