INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Nigeria faces a growing crisis as violence against Christians escalates in its Middle Belt region
Over 15 Catholic parishes have closed their doors due to ongoing attacks
This situation highlights a broader pattern of religious conflict in the country.The Diocese of Makurdi has been hit particularly hard
Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe reports that 14 to 15 parishes have shut down
Some of these parishes oversee up to 20 smaller church communities
The closures affect areas spanning 20-25 kilometers.Similar parish closures have occurred in the Otukpo and Katsina-Ala Dioceses
These shutdowns reflect the widespread nature of the problem
The violence has displaced thousands of Christians from their homes and communities.Recent years have seen a sharp rise in attacks on
Between 2019 and 2023, 2,673 Christians lost their lives in Benue State alone
(Photo Internet reproduction)The scale of the violence is alarming
Approximately 50,000 people have died at the hands of Fulani militias across Nigeria in the past four years
Since 2009, an estimated 18,000 churches have been destroyed by jihadist groups.The year 2023 marked a grim milestone with over 8,000
These numbers paint a picture of systematic targeting based on religious identity
NigeriaVarious groups are blamed for the violence
These include Fulani herdsmen, Boko Haram, and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP)
drawn criticism for its perceived inadequacy
Bishop Anagbe expresses frustration at the lack of decisive action from authorities
Killings, with 18 More Recently MurderedInternational concern is growing
House of Representatives recently passed a resolution urging action
It calls on the Biden administration to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for religious freedom violations.Some
organizations view the situation in stark terms
Genocide Watch categorizes it as Stage 9 (Extermination) and Stage 10 (Denial) of genocide
This classification underscores the severity of the crisis.The violence has created a severe humanitarian crisis
Thousands of Christians now live in displacement camps
Unable to return to their farms, they face an uncertain future
Reports of women and girls being raped by attackers add to the horror.The long-term implications of this crisis are profound
Prolonged school closures could leave a generation vulnerable to radicalization
The demographic presence of Christians in affected areas is shrinking rapidly.Some fear that if left unchecked, this violence could spiral
