Abuja: Christian communities in Nigeria are facing alarming levels of persecution, with reports indicating that approximately 1,200 churches are destroyed and hundreds of Christians are killed every year. The violence, largely carried out by Islamist militants including Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Fulani herders, has left communities living in fear and struggling to maintain their places of worship.

The eastern regions of Nigeria, particularly states like Enugu, have been severely affected. Recent incidents include the killing of Father Mathew Eya, who was ambushed and executed while returning to his parish. Between January and September 2025 alone, at least 15 Catholic priests were kidnapped, highlighting the specific targeting of religious leaders.

One of the deadliest attacks occurred in June 2025, when the Yelwata massacre claimed up to 200 Christian lives, many of them internally displaced persons seeking refuge at a Catholic mission.

Despite the scale of the violence, the Nigerian government has been criticized for inadequate protection and insufficient accountability for perpetrators. Recent reports indicate that over 7,000 Christians have been killed by Islamist militants and Fulani herdsmen extremists in the first 220 days of 2025, underscoring the escalating nature of the crisis.

International observers and human rights organizations are calling for urgent intervention to protect vulnerable communities and prevent further loss of life in Nigeria.