There’s a wave of violence sweeping the country.
Between 2019 and 2023, over 16,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria, according to a recent report by the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA). This figure represents a significant portion of the total fatalities recorded during this period, which includes 55,910 deaths from 9,970 attacks across the country. Among these fatalities, Christian deaths were notably higher than Muslim deaths, with a ratio of 6.5:1. The data indicates that radicalized Fulani herdsmen were responsible for about 55% of the Christian deaths.
The report, released on Thursday, criticizes the use of vague terms like “armed herdsmen” and “bandits” to describe the attackers, arguing that these euphemisms obscure the religious motivations behind the violence. The researchers also highlight that the religious identity of victims significantly affects their treatment, with Christian captives facing more severe conditions and higher risks compared to their Muslim counterparts.
The study reveals that over 21,600 people were abducted in 2,705 attacks, with 11,610 of these attacks involving either killings or abductions. The majority of these incidents occurred in the North West, North Central, and North East regions of Nigeria, particularly during the farming season. Armed Fulani herdsmen and other terrorist groups, including Boko Haram and ISWAP, were identified as the primary perpetrators of these violent acts.
The report calls for increased action from the Nigerian government to address the ongoing violence and protect vulnerable communities. It urges the government to strengthen security measures, promote justice and reconciliation, and enhance support for affected areas. Additionally, it recommends that international bodies, including the EU, the US, and the UK, increase their aid to Nigeria and advocate for greater security measures through the United Nations Security Council. The report also suggests reinstating Nigeria on the US list of countries of particular concern for religious freedom.