Nigerian Christians continue to face mass displacement and even the destruction of entire communities at the hands of Muslims in the African nation, according to a new report from Open Doors, a nondenominational organization that focuses on assisting persecuted Christians.
The advocacy group noted that Islamic militants associated with Boko Haram, the Islamic State of West Africa Province, and various local Fulani populations have “deliberately targeted Christians or Christian communities, their livelihood, faith leaders, and places of worship.” Nigerian authorities have often failed to address the incidents “in a timely or effective manner.”
“Extremist violence across parts of Nigeria over the last decade has resulted in mass displacement of Christian communities, amongst others,” the report commented. “While the root causes of the violence are complex and Christians and non-Christians alike are impacted, this research illustrates the specific vulnerabilities of displaced Christians. They have been singled out for violence, face harsh living conditions and experience faith-based challenges.”
Open Doors asserted that “the problem is unrelenting” in the northern Borno State, which has a substantial Islamic militant presence, and in the north-central Plateau State, where Fulani militants routinely commit violence that displaces Christian communities in the area.
The report, which was based on interviews with hundreds of Nigerians earlier this year, found that the violence has led to the complete end of some Christians communities as the believers flee to other portions of the country. One interviewee said that all of the churches in Gwoza, a town in Borno State, have been “destroyed by Boko Haram,” forcing him and other Christians to flee, meaning that “the churches are still in their deplorable state since their destruction.”
Muslims and Christians alike face abduction in Nigeria, yet militants target Christians and demand higher ransoms for their release, while Christian leaders obtain the highest ransoms.
Sexual violence is another persistent reality for Christians in the country. Another interviewee who lives in a refugee facility remarked to Open Doors that “truly our lives as Christian ladies here in the camp requires prayers, because sometimes we will be kidnapped or raped.”
Open Doors revealed in another report earlier this year that the forced marriage of Christian women is a “concerningly common practice” in several dozen countries with heavy persecution.
