Thousands of Christians killed in Nigeria so far this year

 (Photo: Release International)

At least 3,400 Christians have been killed by extremists in Nigeria so far this year, according to a local non-profit. 

In its latest report, the Nigeria-based International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) said a further 3,000 Christians have been abducted this year.

Other acts of violence include attacks on 10 priests and 300 churches. 

The largest proportion of deaths occurred in Benue state, with 450, followed by Kaduna state, with 410. 

The figures are based on reports from local and foreign media, governments, international human rights groups and eyewitness accounts. 

The estimated total falls just short of the 3,530 reported killed in the whole of 2020 by Christian NGO Open Doors.

Intersociety hit out at the Nigerian government and security forces for failing to protect the country's Christians.

"The Nigerian government has continued to face sharp criticisms and strong accusations of culpability and complicity in the killings and supervision of same," Intersociety said.

"The country's security forces have so fumbled and compromised that they hardly intervene when the vulnerable Christians are in danger of threats or attacks, but only emerge after such attacks to arrest and frame up the same population threatened or attacked."

The report goes on, "It is deeply saddening that till date those responsible for the anti Christian butcheries in the country have continued to evade justice and remained unchecked, untracked, uninvestigated and untried; leading to impunity and repeat-atrocities.

"The surviving victims and families of the dead victims are also totally abandoned by the Government of Nigeria."

Nigeria ranks ninth on the Open Doors World Watch List of the worst countries for Christian persecution. 

Christians in the middle and northern regions of Nigeria face wave after wave of attacks by militant jihadists, terrorist groups like Boko Haram, and radicalized Fulani herdsmen. 

Release International is among the groups calling for urgent action to end the violence against Christians in Nigeria. 

In a recent call to action, its patron Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali warned of the disintegration of Nigeria if the violence is not brought under control.

"If Nigeria is to continue as a single entity, a concerted military and political effort has to be made to stop the depredations of so-called herders in the Middle Belt and Yoruba land," he said.

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
Sarah Mullally prays with Pope Leo XIV
Sarah Mullally prays with Pope Leo XIV

Sarah Mullally referred to previous ecumenical meetings between Anglican and Catholic heads.

Missionary behind milestone Paraguay Bible translation to retire after 44 years of service
Missionary behind milestone Paraguay Bible translation to retire after 44 years of service

A missionary whose work helped bring the Bible to indigenous communities in Paraguay’s remote Chaco region is retiring after 44 years of ministry and translation work.

Calls to EU to move beyond words as Syria’s Christians face escalating violence
Calls to EU to move beyond words as Syria’s Christians face escalating violence

Fresh criticism is being directed at European leaders over what campaigners describe as a failure to take meaningful action to protect Syria’s Christian communities amid renewed sectarian violence and reports of incessant persecution.

Documentary celebrates women in Church ministry
Documentary celebrates women in Church ministry

Living Loving Serving: Women Leaders in the Church is the debut documentary film from Keep the Faith, Britain’s leading magazine about the black Christian community.