Nigeria ranked Among Worst Persecutors of Christians in 2023 – International Report.
In a sobering revelation, Nigeria, despite not yet being designated a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ by the U.S. Department of State, has found itself among the most severe persecutors of Christians in the International Christian Concern’s (ICC) 2023 report.
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The report paints a distressing picture of the perils faced by Christians in Nigeria, even going as far as suggesting that it may be the most dangerous place for Christians globally. “Nigeria is arguably the most dangerous place to be a Christian in the world today,” the report declared.
The ICC’s report documents a harrowing 55 attacks in Nigeria, resulting in the tragic deaths of 549 Christians over a four-month period from March to July. Some notable incidents highlighted in the report include the torching of a Catholic seminary and the killing of a seminarian in Kaduna State, as well as the brutal massacre of more than 20 people in a Plateau State village by radical militants in August.
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A significant portion of this persecution is attributed to extremist groups such as Boko Haram, which, over the past 12 years, has been responsible for over 38,000 deaths, and the implementation of Sharia law in 12 northern states.
“Whether the world acknowledges the plight of Nigerian Christians or not, the country has become a burial ground for Christians,” the report emphasized.
In addition to Nigeria, the ICC’s report also identifies nine other countries as oppressive toward Christians. These nations include North Korea, India, Iran, China, Pakistan, Eritrea, Algeria, Indonesia, and Azerbaijan. The report highlights patterns of religious suppression, forced labor, violence, and stringent legal restrictions in these countries.
The ICC report further identifies six entities, including the Allied Democratic Forces and Al-Shabab, as some of the most egregious oppressors of religious freedom and minority rights.
Furthermore, the report singles out five individual actors, including Kim Jong Un of North Korea and Xi Jinping of China, as among the worst global persecutors.
Despite the stark conditions outlined in the report, Nigeria has not yet received the designation of a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ from the U.S. Department of State. The report underscores the urgent need for international attention and action to address the widespread persecution of Christians not only in Nigeria but also in other nations mentioned in the report.
“Nigeria is a country torn by violence. From large, organized terror groups to small, disconnected communal militias, the violence in Nigeria is endemic,” the report concludes.
