Nigeria Tops Report for Christian Persecution in 2024

National Christian Centre in Nigeria

This is the National Christian Centre. It is a popular place of worship for Christians in Nigeria.

In 2024, Nigeria emerged as the country with the highest number of Christians killed and kidnapped, according to the latest report from the advocacy group Open Doors. The World Watch List, released on January 15, found that a staggering 3,100 Christians were killed and 2,830 were kidnapped in Nigeria that year, far surpassing any other nation. This alarming statistic highlights the persistent and growing danger faced by Christians in Nigeria, largely due to the ongoing violence from Muslim extremist groups such as Boko Haram.

The report’s findings underline the increasingly hostile environment for Christians in Nigeria and the wider world. “380 million Christians in the world do not enjoy the basic human right to believe what they want,” said Open Doors Italy Director Cristian Nani, urging a renewed focus on religious freedom in global discussions. “In 32 years of research, we record a steady increase in anti-Christian persecution in absolute terms,” Nani added. “2024 is again a record year of intolerance: 1 in 7 Christians suffer discrimination or persecution because of their faith.”

The violence in Nigeria is a tragic consequence of the decades-long conflict with extremist groups that have targeted Christians, often with the intent to kill or ransom them. Open Doors attributes the rise in violence to these groups, with the most recent victims including Sisters Vincentia Maria Nwankwo and Grace Mariette Okoli, who were abducted on January 7, 2024, from the Archdiocese of Onitsha. While they have since been released and are reported to be “in good health,” their abduction is a stark reminder of the ever-present risks faced by Catholic clergy and religious in the country.

In addition to Nigeria’s devastating toll, other nations are experiencing heightened levels of Christian persecution. India, for example, had the highest number of Christian arrests in 2024, with 2,176 recorded. Meanwhile, Rwanda saw the most attacks on Christian churches and buildings, with 4,000 reported incidents. Despite these regional challenges, Nigeria remains one of the most perilous places in the world for Christians.

The Open Doors report emphasizes the growing global trend of religious persecution, noting that 13 countries, including Nigeria, are classified as having “extreme levels” of anti-Christian persecution. North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, Libya, and Sudan top the list as the most dangerous countries for Christians in 2024, but the trend is far-reaching. “The persecution of Christians is expanding worldwide, and it is more urgent than ever to make religious freedom a central focus of public debate,” said Nani.

As the global community reflects on these sobering statistics, there is an urgent need to address the increasing levels of Christian persecution. Open Doors urges believers everywhere to pray for the protection and strength of Christians suffering for their faith and to advocate for religious freedom in international forums.

For Catholics, this report serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by many in the name of faith. It calls on the faithful to stand in solidarity with those who suffer persecution, offering prayers for their safety, strength, and perseverance in the face of unimaginable adversity. As Christians worldwide face rising hostility, we must continue to champion the cause of religious freedom and work toward a world where every believer can practice their faith without fear of violence or discrimination.

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