According to the non-partisan Christian organization, International Christian Concern (ICC), Nigeria has been included in the list of the most dangerous places for Christians worldwide. The ICC’s 2023 report on Christian persecution highlighted that extremists and militants have been responsible for killing Christians and dispossessing them of their lands over the past two decades.
The organization pointed out that these attacks have often been attributed to clashes between farmers and herders, compounded by ethnic conflicts, according to Nigerian leaders. However, the ICC’s report categorizes these acts as genocide against Christians.
The report stated, “Nigeria is arguably the most dangerous place to be a Christian in the world today.” It highlighted attacks by Muslim extremists in the North and the activities of armed Islamic terrorists, referred to as Fulani militants, in the Middle Belt, which have resulted in the killing of Christians and land seizures for the past 20 years.
The report further revealed that between March and July 2023, 549 Christians were killed in 55 attacks in Nigeria. It emphasized that Nigeria has become a perilous place for Christians, even if the world doesn’t fully acknowledge their plight.
Sharia law practiced in 12 northern states in Nigeria was also identified as a source of concern, as it endangers non-Muslim religious communities in those regions. The ICC called on the United States to reinstate Nigeria on the list of countries with severe violations of religious freedom and urged that U.S. foreign aid to Nigeria be conditioned on substantial improvements in religious freedom, including the repeal of blasphemy laws and the removal of Sharia courts’ authority over criminal matters.
The report noted that other countries oppressive toward Christians included North Korea, India, Iran, China, Pakistan, Eritrea, Algeria, Indonesia, and Azerbaijan.