By Luminous Jannamike, Ibrahim Hassan
ABUJA – The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN and the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, yesterday called for caution as the International Christian Concern, ICC, listed Nigeria among the worst persecutors of Christians in its 2023 report.
The report paints an alarming picture of the dangers facing Christians in the country, saying Nigeria could be the most perilous place in the world for Christians.
“Nigeria is arguably the most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian today,” the report said.
The ICC report details 55 attacks in Nigeria, resulting in the deaths of 549 Christians over a four-month period from March to July.
He also highlighted the burning of a Catholic seminary and the killing of a seminarian in Kaduna State, as well as the massacre of more than 20 people in a village in Plateau State by radical militants in August .
A significant portion of the persecution is attributed to terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, responsible for more than 38,000 deaths over the past 12 years, and the application of sharia law in 12 northern states.
“Whether or not the world recognizes the plight of Nigerian Christians, the country has become a burial ground for Christians,” the report states.
Besides Nigeria, the ICC report also named nine other countries as oppressive towards Christians. These include North Korea, India, Iran, China, Pakistan, Eritrea, Algeria, Indonesia and Azerbaijan.
The report identifies patterns of religious repression, forced labor, violence and harsh legal restrictions in these countries.
The ICC report also identified six entities, including the Allied Democratic Forces and Al-Shabab, among the worst oppressors of religious freedom and minorities.
Additionally, five individual actors, including North Korea’s Kim Jong Un and China’s Xi Jinping, have been named among the world’s worst persecutors.
However, despite the difficult conditions described in the report, Nigeria has not been designated by the US Department of State as a “country of particular concern.”
The report highlights the need for international attention and action to combat the widespread persecution of Christians in Nigeria and other listed countries.
“Nigeria is a country torn apart by violence. From large, organized terrorist groups to small, disconnected community militias, violence in Nigeria is endemic,” the report concludes.
JNI reacts
Reacting to the developments yesterday, Ibrahim Kufena, Secretary of Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, in Kaduna State, said it was not enough for the ICC to make such a statement against Nigeria.
According to him, the Christian body should show the cases and places where such alleged persecutions took place to be able to respond properly to the ICC.
“It’s a general statement, let them be specific. They should give examples, places, etc., otherwise they are just trying to create misunderstanding between us, if we react.
CAN, PFN and Anglican Church call for caution
Also reacting, some Church leaders called the situation “unfortunate” but called for caution in approaching such reports.
While the Anglican Church has expressed concerns over external attacks on the Church and stressed that Christians must not despair, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has urged Church leaders to reconsider their visits blind to government officials.
They stressed that such visits could distract from more pressing issues affecting Christians, such as ongoing persecution in various religious communities.
However, the Pentecostal Association of Nigeria, PFN, has stressed the importance of considering the broader context surrounding religious persecution in the country.
Refocus attention on pressing issues, urge Church leaders
Reflecting on these issues, Simon Dolly, Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), North Central Zone, has called on church leaders to refocus their efforts on addressing pressing issues.
“The persecution of Christians in Nigeria is an unfortunate circumstance that requires immediate attention. Church leaders must reconsider their indiscriminate visits to government officials because they distract from the pressing issues affecting Christians and the Church,” said Pastor Dolly.
