Attacks on Christians Deepen Despite Trump’s CPC Label
Key points:
- Attacks on Christians in Nigeria rise despite Trump’s warnings and intervention threats.
- Feb 2026: 6 worshippers abducted in Ondo; Boko Haram kills 27+ in Adamawa; 7 Christians killed in Plateau.
- Jan 2026: 177 churchgoers abducted in Kaduna; 10 killed in Taraba; 13 in Benue; 42 massacred in Niger; 12 in Plateau.
- Dec 2025: Boko Haram kills 27, 14 missing in Adamawa; worshippers abducted from ECWA Church in Kogi.
- Nov 2025: 303 students and 12 teachers abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Niger State.
By Emmanuel Kwada
Despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s high-profile redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) on October 31, 2025, for severe violations of religious freedom, violence against Christian communities has shown no signs of abating.
Trump’s designation, which accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians from what he described as “jihadist attacks” and a potential “Christian genocide,” was accompanied by threats of aid cuts, sanctions, and even military intervention.
On Christmas Day 2025, the U.S. conducted airstrikes targeting Islamic State-linked militants in northwest Nigeria, explicitly linking the action to halting the “slaughter” of Christians.
However, reports from local and international monitors indicate that attacks—ranging from church raids and mass kidnappings to targeted killings of clergy and destruction of Christian institutions—have continued to rise unabated in the North and Middle Belt regions.
Advocacy groups such as Open Doors, Intersociety, and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) describe Nigeria as the “deadliest place globally to be a Christian,” with thousands killed and abducted in recent years.
The aftermath of a Boko Haram attack in kirchinga, Madagali LGA
A February 24, 2026, joint report from U.S. House committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs, submitted to the White House, reaffirmed this grim assessment, citing over 7,000 Christian deaths in 2025 alone and calling for sustained U.S. pressure.
The violence, often attributed to Fulani militants, bandits, Boko Haram, and ISWAP affiliates, is frequently framed by the Nigerian government as criminality, land disputes, or general insecurity rather than religiously motivated persecution.
The CPC label has heightened international attention but failed to translate into tangible protection on the ground, with rural Christian villages remaining vulnerable to raids during holidays and services.
The image shows some of the corpses in the aftermath of the attack on Madagali
Timeline of high-profile incidents since the CPC designation include:
February 25, 2026: Gunmen attacked the Celestial Church of Christ along the Benin-Owo Expressway in Uso, Owo LGA, Ondo State, during a midnight/early morning service and abducted six worshippers.
February 24, 2026: Boko Haram terrorists attacked Madagali LGA, Adamawa State, overrunning areas including villages like Sheweri and Kirchinga; reports indicate significant violence and displacement (over 27 people reported killed in related assaults in the area around this time).
Some of the corpses of 7 youths killed at the mining site in Plateau State.
February 23, 2026: Seven Christians were killed in an attack by suspected Fulani militias in Kuru community, Jos South LGA, Plateau State (targeting a mining site).
January 18, 2026: Mass kidnapping in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru LGA, Kaduna State — Gunmen stormed three churches (two Cherubim and Seraphim, one ECWA) during Sunday services and abducted approximately 177 worshippers (reports vary 172–179; 11 escaped early, leaving about 166 captive). All remaining captives were released/rescued by February 5 through ‘security operations’.
January 10, 2026: Attacks in Taraba State — 10 Christians killed.
January 5–12, 2026: Attacks in Benue State — 13 Christians killed.
January 3, 2026: Massacre in Kasuwan Daji, Niger State — 42 men (Christians and Muslims) were tied up and killed; women and children were abducted.
January 1–9, 2026: Fulani attacks in Plateau State — At least 12 Christians killed.
Late December 2025: Boko Haram attacks in Hong LGA, Adamawa State — 27 killed, 4 missing amid broader Christmas-period assaults.
Late November/Early December 2025: CAC church in Ejiba, Kogi State — Pastor, his wife, and several members abducted during a service.
December 14, 2025: First ECWA Church, Ayetoro-Kiri (Kabba/Bunu LGA), Kogi State — Gunmen stormed a Sunday service and abducted at least 13–30+ worshippers (including children and elderly); victims were released in batches through negotiations in January 2026.
A farm produce storage was burnt down by Boko Haram after looting it.
November 21, 2025: St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, Niger State — Major mass abduction of approximately 303 students and 12 teachers (50 escaped initially; most released by late December through negotiations; no public confirmation of ransom, though some reports accused the federal government of paying billions to Boko Haram).
November 18–19, 2025: Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, Kwara State — Gunmen attacked an evening service, killed at least two worshippers, and abducted 35–38 others, including the pastor.
November 17, 2025: Rev. Fr. Bobbo Paschal abducted from St. Stephen Parish, Kushe Gugdu, Kaduna State; his brother killed in the assault.
November 3, 2025: Rev. Simon Nbach of Flaming Fire Ministry, Benue State, killed alongside nine others by militants.
November 3, 2025: Catholic church building burned in Anwule, Benue State — 10 Christians killed.
Alex Barbir, an American missionary at the burial of the 12 Christians massacred in Plateau State.
October 14, 2025: Massacre in Rachas village, Plateau State — At least 12 Christians killed amid ignored warnings of a Fulani militant offensive.
October 2, 2025: Boko Haram raid on Wagga Mongoro village, Madagali LGA, Adamawa State — 4 Christians killed; homes, shops, and a church destroyed.
These incidents highlight a pattern of targeted violence against Christian communities, churches, and worshippers, often involving killings, abductions, and destruction by groups such as Boko Haram, Fulani militants, or unidentified gunmen.
The Nigerian government has rejected “genocide” claims, emphasizing that insecurity affects all groups and calling for joint U.S.-Nigeria security cooperation instead of confrontation.
As violence persists into 2026, Christian leaders and international observers warn that without decisive action, the toll could escalate further.
Read Also: US Congress Bill to Monitor How Nigeria Combats Terrorism
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