Christian leaders and human rights advocates have expressed concern over the rising wave of religion-motivated killings in Nigeria, claiming that 16,769 Christians and 6,225 Muslims were killed between 2019 and 2023 in faith-related violence across the country.
While warning that the persistent persecution, mob killing, and destruction of places of worship threaten Nigeria’s unity, the religious leaders urged the federal government to establish the National Council on Freedom of Religion to investigate and prosecute those who violate the rights of citizens.
The leaders spoke yesterday at a roundtable organised by the Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria (CHAIN) in Abuja with the theme: “Building Synergy among Faith-based NGOs for Freedom of Religion or Belief.”
The president of the Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, Rev. Gideon Para-Mallam, who participated virtually from the United Kingdom (UK), said the figures of the victims underscored the reality of religious persecution in Nigeria.
He said the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, sometimes with genocidal intent, is real, adding that the government practices an undeclared policy of denialism when it comes to recognising or addressing violations of religious freedom.
Para-Mallam decried the culture of impunity surrounding mob killings in the name of blasphemy, lamenting that those responsible are rarely prosecuted.
He said, “Beyond the politics of numbers killed. The fact is that about 145 Catholic priests have been killed during the current insecurity in Nigeria.”
In a document done between 2019 and 2023, he said about 16,769 Christians were killed, and 6,235 Muslims were killed. This isn’t exhaustive research documentation; it is what we were able to document in partnership with ORFA.
“The current debate of genocide or no genocide against Christians in Nigeria is misplaced. I will suggest that the government meet with credible Muslim and Christian leaders to acknowledge the fact of the killings and commit itself to stopping them.
Dr Sam Amadi, former chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), said the country can no longer be described as neutral, as religion now dictates public policy and governance.
According to him, Nigeria meets all the conditions to be redesignated by the United States as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to persistent violations of religious freedom.
He said, “Nigeria fulfils all the conditions on that list. Nigeria has been there before. If you look at reports from Open Doors, Nigeria is one of the worst places for Christians to live, and this is not because some Christians are in power. Many Christians have held powerful positions, yet persecution continues.”
Amadi, who is also the director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, lamented that by allowing religious doctrines to influence state laws, Nigeria had destroyed the liberal spirit of its constitution, unlike countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, which have stronger Islamic traditions but firmer boundaries between religion and state.
Former chairman of the Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. John Joseph Hayab, warned that Nigeria cannot enjoy peace unless the government enforces equal justice for all victims of faith-related violence.
“Whenever a Christian is killed, we hear excuses. When a Muslim is attacked, we also hear excuses. Justice must not depend on who the victim is,” Hayab said.
Also, the head of the National Directorate of Religious Freedom of the Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON), Barr. Joseph Danboyi, described blasphemy laws as a significant threat to civic coexistence, free expression and national unity.
He blamed weak prosecution and selective justice for the rise in faith-related violence, noting that the judiciary and security agencies have failed to deliver justice to victims.
