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5 clusters · 11 sources · 31 days · First seen · Last updated

Religious persecution of Christians in Africa

Overview

Christian communities in parts of Africa are experiencing increasing religious persecution and violence. In Mali, jihadist groups in rural central and southern regions have established alternative governance, utilizing ‘non-aggression pacts’ and enforcing the ‘Djizja’ tax on non-Muslim villages to avoid conflict or displacement.

In Nigeria, the situation has evolved into a crisis involving village attacks, church destruction, and kidnappings. Suspected Fulani militants have carried out multiple attacks in Kaduna State, resulting in the killing of Christian miners and the kidnapping of several individuals, including a nine-year-old child. In Bagudo, evangelical pastor Adamu Japhet was reportedly kidnapped, and others were taken from homes in Rahusa Estate. In Adamawa State, Boko Haram militants have been linked to the destruction of a Protestant church in Hong and the burning of another in Bala-Tela, alongside the kidnapping of students and farmers.

Recent reports indicate a surge in violence in Plateau State, where Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo reported the deaths of seven more Christians, allegedly murdered by armed Fulani militants. In the Nyanya-Jikwoyi area of Abuja, Rev. Emeka Unaegbu, presiding pastor of Goodnews Power Assembly International, died following a distress call at his church. While initial reports suggested he was attacked by gunmen during a vigil, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has contested the claim of a violent struggle, stating that preliminary investigations found no visible marks of violence on the body. Commissioner of Police Bala Ciroma has ordered a postmortem to determine the cause of death.

Catholic leadership in Nigeria has begun responding to these systemic patterns of hostility through calls for unity and the closure of institutions in high-risk areas.

Entities

Nigeria · Emeka Unaegbu · Open Doors · Catholic Church · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Timeline

  1. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Nigeria reports continued violence against Christian communities

    Reports emerge of continued violence against Christians in Nigeria, including the deaths of seven people in Plateau State and the investigation into the death of a pastor in Abuja.

  2. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Catholic leaders in Nigeria respond to insecurity and attacks on Church properties

    Catholic bishops in Nigeria are calling for unity and withdrawing personnel from certain areas following persistent insecurity, ethnic strife, and arson attacks on Church-owned institutions.

  3. [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    Nigeria: Christian communities face increased violence and kidnappings

    Reports from Nigeria detail increased violence against Christians, including killings, kidnappings, and the destruction of churches by Fulani militants and Boko Haram in Kaduna and Adamawa states.

  4. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Christian communities face rising violence in Nigeria and DR Congo

    Christian communities in Nigeria and the DRC face rising violence, including mass killings in Ituri and kidnappings in Nigeria where victims report being pressured to convert to Islam.

  5. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Religious persecution affects Christian communities in Mali and Nigeria

    Christian communities in Mali and Nigeria face rising religious persecution, including forced taxation by militants in Mali and violent attacks on villages and churches in Nigeria.

Sources

aciafrica.org · christelijknieuws.nl · cvandaag.nl · dpti.sa.gov.au · editorialedomani.it · ilrestodelcarlino.it · latestnigeriannews.com · nova24tv.si · nuovagerusalemme.it · pillarcatholic.com · radio.ognjisce.si

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history