For information about Orthodox Christianity in Nigeria, see here.
For previous coverage of the persecution of Christians in Nigeria from ChristianPersecution.com, see here.
“Islamic Extremist Terrorists Kill 14 Christians in Northeast Nigeria,” Morning Star News, January 8, 2024:
ABUJA, Nigeria (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Members of an Islamic terrorist group on Friday (Jan. 5) killed a church pastor and 13 other Christians in northeast Nigeria, sources said.
The Rev. Luka Levong of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) was slain on the premises of his church in Kwari town, in Geidam County, Yobe state, while 13 members of his church were killed in their homes, area residents said.
The residents said members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked Kwari at about 1 a.m., but it was not confirmed whether the assailants were members of ISWAP or a faction of Boko Haram, officially called Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad.
“The terrorists also set fire on the COCIN church building and destroyed vehicles parked in the premises of the church, and also set fire on the houses of Christians in the town,” area resident Aaron Bwala told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News in a text message….
In the 2023 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria jumped to sixth place, its highest ranking ever, from No. 7 the previous year.
“Militants from the Fulani, Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and others conduct raids on Christian communities, killing, maiming, raping and kidnapping for ransom or sexual slavery,” the WWL report noted. “This year has also seen this violence spill over into the Christian-majority south of the nation… Nigeria’s government continues to deny this is religious persecution, so violations of Christians’ rights are carried out with impunity.”
