The Silence Surrounding Nigeria's Christian Genocide Must End

Understanding the Crisis

Two years ago, I was kidnapped by Boko Haram. Each day felt like a lifetime, filled with fear and uncertainty for my life and my family. As I prayed for deliverance, I could not help but think of those who, unlike me, never see the light of freedom again. This is the horrifying reality faced by many in Nigeria, a crisis that has been largely ignored by the world, particularly the West.

The Scale of Atrocities

In Nigeria, especially in the Middle Belt, a systematic genocide against Christians is taking place—one that is inadequately addressed by the international community. According to reports, more than 7,000 Christians have been killed this year alone. The violence is not sporadic; it follows a chilling pattern of coordinated attacks aimed at erasing Christian communities from existence.

I've seen mothers weeping beside mass graves. The smell of smoke from the smoldering remains of churches and schools still clings to my clothes.

The attacks intensify with alarming regularity. In April, for instance, more than 52 people lost their lives in a single incident in the Bokkos area, with entire villages turned to ashes. This coordinated assault is not an isolated event—it's part of a larger, systematic campaign.

Systematic Erasure of Christian Communities

The violence is often downplayed as mere 'clashes' between farmers and herders. Yet, this narrative dangerously oversimplifies a complex and dire situation. Government officials continue to mislead, failing to recognize the distinct religious and ethnic motivations behind these attacks.

This is ethnic and religious cleansing masquerading as conflict over land. We must be clear: these aren't random acts of violence; they are calculated strategies designed to instill terror and eliminate entire communities.

A Call to Action

It's vital for the Nigerian government to take immediate action to protect its people. Stronger security measures must be implemented. Humanitarian aid—including food, medical supplies, and psychological support—must be delivered to those in desperate need.

But it is also imperative that the international community steps in. The United States and other Western nations have a moral obligation to intervene. The U.S. State Department should reinstate Nigeria's designation as a Country of Particular Concern for its continued violation of religious freedoms. This action would serve as a wake-up call to authorities in Nigeria, reminding them that what is happening cannot be ignored.

Voices from the Ground

During my travels across Nigeria, providing relief as part of iReach Global, I am met with survivors who recount their horror stories. I have witnessed firsthand the aftermath of violence: burnt villages, displaced families living in makeshift camps, traumatized children unable to sleep through the night for fear of another attack. In these encounters, statistics become faces and stories—lives that demand recognition and justice.

The Role of International Aid

International partners need to ramp up support—both for humanitarian assistance and independent investigations into these atrocities. The needs are immense: some families survive on just one meal a day and rely on muddy water sources. Children are denied education, forced to grow up in a cloud of trauma.

Each child who goes without schooling is a future lost. We lose not only their dreams but also the potential for broader societal change that could emerge from these young minds.

The Time for Silence is Over

If immediate action is not taken, we risk entirely vanishing Christian communities from Nigeria's Middle Belt. The implication of inaction stretches beyond borders, posing a significant threat to global security. The silence of the world in the face of these atrocities is not neutrality; it is complicity.

I urge the global community: do not look away. The suffering is real, and it is growing. Let us rally together to stop this slaughter and begin the long, arduous process of rebuilding what has been lost.

Conclusion

The ongoing genocide demands action. Together, we can make a difference. With awareness and intervention, we can restore faith in humanity and ensure the victims of these tragic crimes are not forgotten.