Nigerian Christians are Being Massacred

The persecution of Christians is actively going on in Nigeria.

By Sophia Cappawana

 

Last month, The Times reported that 250 Christians were killed in Yelwata, Nigeria in June during an attack by Islamic tribesman. Four months later, charred human remains and blood splattered walls still haunts the village as brutal reminders of the massacre. Since then, the situation has only gotten worse. Terrorist groups including Boko Haram, ISIS West Africa, and Fulani militants have murdered over 125,000 Christians over the last sixteen years. 

The persecution of Christians is actively going on in Nigeria.

 

A Christian’s Perspective

Lanre Williams-Ayedun of Fox News grew up in the Sahel region which crosses many African countries, including Nigeria, and her home country of Niger. She wrote that Christians used to live in peace alongside the large Muslim majority in the region. Williams-Ayedun laments: 

“We had hope…Today’s Nigeria does not look like that of my youth. Climate change, capitalism, debt, corruption, the COVID-19 crisis and shifting donor trends have all caused more poverty, less hope and more conflict.”

The geographical division of Nigeria, almost along the cardinal ordinances, into Muslim and Christian regions, and lingering effects of colonialism making tradition nomadic lifestyle unrealistic have also compounded and spilled into religious violence. 

When the events of June took place, it was clear this hope was gone. One of the Christian victims testified: 

“There was nothing I could do…I only prayed.”

Paul Amadu, once a captive of Boko Haram, further describes the hopeless situation: 

“Sadly, most Christians who are captured by this terrible organization never live to tell their stories…This year has brought wave after wave of coordinated attacks in Central Nigeria. More than 7,000 Christians have been killed. Entire villages — most of them Christian farming communities — were razed. Families now live in makeshift camps, traumatized and uncertain if they’ll ever return home.” 

 

The United States’ Response

Events in Nigeria have gained the attention of several high-profile lawmakers and celebrities. Congressman Riley Moore (R-WV) called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern due to the persecution of Christians. This designation is given to countries that are responsible for severely violating religious freedoms under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998. He wrote:

“Nigeria has become the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian.”

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced legislation to require Secretary of State Rubio to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and to impose some sanctions on the country in September this year. The bill was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations on September 9. The government shutdown, however, poses a substantial roadblock to passing legislation. (READ MORE: Anti-Growth Policymaking and H-1B Visas) 

Comedian Bill Maher has been more than outspoken, claiming that Christians are being “systematically killed.” He also questioned why college students are not protesting the matter as they have with other religious conflicts. Maher also took the stance that the persecution is a genocide and that “[Nigerians] are literally attempting to wipe out the Christian population of an entire country.”

Nicki Minaj, a Trinidadian rapper and singer-songwriter, also spoke out saying “No group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion. We don’t have to share the same beliefs in order for us to respect each other.” She retweeted President Trump’s Truth Social post calling on Congressman Moore and others to look into the persecution. “God bless every persecuted Christian.” 

 

Looking to the Future

As difficult as it may prove to be, Nigeria must strengthen its security and work against the terrorist groups. There was peace in the Sahel region before, and it can happen again. Countries of influence like the United States must also apply, and continue applying, pressure on the Nigerian government to protect religious freedom. 

Hope remains among Christians and the peaceful Muslims living in the same area that order will be restored. Christians in Nigeria are depending on courage, their own and that of others, to deliver them from the persecution and allow them to live in peace in their home country. (READ MORE: SCOTUS Update: REinforcing Medical Conciousness: U.S. vs. Skrmetti) 

 

 

About the Author

Sophia Cappawana is a junior at Grove City College majoring in Political Science. Sophia, as a seventh-generation resident of Duncannon, PA. She was elected to Duncannon Borough Council after serving six years as a junior council member. She serves on the Finance, Administration, and IT committee as well as the Revitalization and Public Safety committee.

Sophia participates in the Spanish Club at Grove City College and serves as a TA for Dr. April Knupp. Her hobbies include reading and following Hershey Bears hockey. She has taken multiple Political Science classes. She particularly enjoyed Political Philosophy and the Christian Intellectual Tradition, Faith and Public Life, and The American Presidency.

 

READ MORE BY SOPHIA CAPPAWANA: The Constitution: A Partisan Document? 

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are those of the writer alone and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grove City College, the Institute for Faith and Freedom, or their affiliates.

Cover Image: Photo by Emmanuel Ikwuegbu on Unsplash (Cropped).