Abuja, Nigeria — Human rights group Intersociety says more than 7,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria during the first 220 days of 2025. Thousands were also abducted, and many churches destroyed, especially in Benue State. The group describes the attacks as part of a pattern of religiously targeted violence.
“The scale of killings and abductions targeting Christian communities is alarming and amounts to a silent genocide,” said Emeka Umeagbalasi, Intersociety’s board chairman.
The Nigerian government strongly disagrees. Officials say the violence is not religious but driven by crime and insecurity that affects everyone.
“Banditry and terrorism do not discriminate between Christians and Muslims,” said Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information. “In Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, and Niger, the majority of victims are Muslims. It is misleading to claim one faith is being singled out.”
The reports have spread quickly on social media. Influencers, celebrities, and advocacy groups have repeated the claims and called for international action. At the same time, others argue the numbers may be exaggerated or politically motivated.
Experts warn that the crisis is far more complex. Dr. Amina Yusuf, a conflict analyst in Abuja, explained:
“Nigeria’s insecurity is multi-layered. Some attacks do target Christian communities, but many are linked to farmer-herder clashes, organized banditry, and extremist violence. Both Christians and Muslims have suffered greatly.”
Religious leaders echo this mix of perspectives. Rev. Samson Ayokunle, former head of the Christian Association of Nigeria, said the destruction of churches and displacement of Christian families “cannot be ignored.” By contrast, Sheikh Khalid Aliyu of Jama’atu Nasril Islam stressed that Muslim communities in the North-West are “equally under siege by bandits and insurgents.”
The violence has forced many to flee their homes. Humanitarian agencies estimate that over 2.5 million Nigerians are now displaced within the country. States such as Benue, Plateau, and Borno remain among the hardest hit. Thousands more have crossed into neighboring countries, putting pressure on already crowded refugee camps.
The crisis has also drawn attention abroad. A spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) called for “credible investigations and accurate reporting to ensure accountability and prevent further escalation.”
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expressed concern over the Intersociety figures. It urged Nigeria to protect vulnerable faith communities while also addressing broader causes of insecurity.
The European Union Delegation to Nigeria said it was “closely monitoring the situation” and would continue to support peacebuilding and humanitarian programs.
For now, civilians remain the most affected. Villages are attacked, families are displaced, and local economies struggle to recover. Whether seen through the lens of religion or insecurity, the cost for ordinary Nigerians is severe and ongoing.
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