Christians face genocide in Nigeria as violence escalates

On April 2-3, 2025, severe attacks were executed targeting Christians in Plateau State’s Bokkos County, Nigeria, where over 60 individuals were killed, and hundreds of homes were set ablaze. These bloody confrontations come amid a series of violent assaults on Christians in the region, demonstrating a clear trend of escalating violence against this community. Just days before Easter, reports indicated numerous attacks, including the killing of Christian farmers and attacks on villages resulting in additional casualties. Furthermore, experts suggest a systematic effort by extremist groups, such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West African Province, to eliminate Christian populations and seize control of their territories in Nigeria. Key figures like Jeff King, the president of International Christian Concern, have characterized these acts as genocide, pushing for international recognition and intervention. Additionally, Nigeria's Middle Belt region has become a hotspot for these violent encounters, raising significant alarm within the international community. The U.S. State Department has noted an ongoing concern regarding violence in the area, expressing a commitment to addressing the root causes. They called for the protection of all citizens, regardless of their religious affiliation, highlighting the critical situation unfolding in Nigeria. As the violence continues unabated, local communities struggle to recover from past massacres, such as the tragic event during Christmas in 2023 that claimed approximately 200 Christian lives. Human rights advocates are now calling for greater awareness and action from global authorities, emphasizing the urgent need for Nigeria to be listed as a Country of Particular Concern, pressuring it to take legitimate actions to stop the violence.