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Religious persecution of Christians in Africa

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-14 18:48 UTC → 2026-10-20 16:29 UTC · added removed

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 where victims are allegedly pressured to convert to Islam. The US State Department has reclassified Nigeria under a special concern category due to this violence. Recent escalations include suspected kidnappings. Suspected Fulani militants carrying 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. Further incidents include Recent reports indicate a surge in violence in Plateau State, where Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo reported the deaths of Christian workers 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 mining site in Kworos Gangare and vigil, the death Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has contested the claim of a relative violent struggle, stating that preliminary investigations found no visible marks of journalist Lawrence Zongo in Meyango. 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. In Taraba State, Bishop Mark Maigida Nzukwein of the Wukari Diocese has called hostility through calls for unity to combat inter-ethnic and inter-religious strife that has led to deaths and displacement. In Benue State, Bishop William Avenya of Gboko has ordered the closure of Catholic institutions and the withdrawal of pastoral workers from Ihugh following arson attacks on student hostels at St. Winifred Girls Secondary School and threats against medical personnel. The violence has also been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). high-risk areas.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-20 16:29 UTC Religious persecution of Christians in Africa
  2. 2026-10-14 18:48 UTC Religious persecution of Christians in Africa
  3. 2026-10-13 19:16 UTC Religious persecution of Christians in Africa
  4. 2026-09-30 20:44 UTC Religious persecution of Christians in Africa

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