Christians Murdered and Kidnapped by Islamic Militants

Nigerian children - Photo: Flickr / SIM USA
Ask the Lord to comfort His people as they face ongoing threats.
Photo: Flickr / SIM USA (cc)

Christians in Nigeria are appealing for prayer after yet another series of fatal attacks on their communities by militant Islamists. The following two attacks in January are recurring examples of the devastation that is being imposed on so many innocent people in Nigeria, particularly those of the Christian population. For more information on the relentless attacks on Christians in Nigeria, go to our country report.

On January 11th, a group identified as Fulani militants attacked the village of Ancha in Plateau State, killing 18 Christians. According to witnesses, some of the attackers were wearing the uniform of the Nigerian army. During the raid, 30 armed Nigerian soldiers had been stationed to protect the town but stayed in their makeshift barracks, doing nothing to prevent the burning of homes, the destruction of vehicles, and the fatal wounding of villagers. When the attack was over, more than 500 bullet casings were found littering the ground.

In a separate attack, assailants belonging to the Islamic State West Africa Province, formerly known as Boko Haram, invaded Pemi village in the Chibok area of Borno State on January 20th. When the attack ended, it was discovered that one person had been killed and 17 children were abducted. Furthermore, a church building in the village was looted and burned, along with numerous shops and houses. During a Christmas Eve attack in 2020, this same church was burned, resulting in the loss of at least seven people and the captivity of several others – including the pastor (read more).

According to Zakariya Musa, a spokesperson for the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria, villagers who fled in the face of the violence have returned to their village but, as a result of the trauma, they are struggling with anxiety and fear. "Above all," he says of the situation, "our sincere prayers are important, because the people, mostly farmers in the area, are not giving up on their ancestral land, nor abandoning the communities despite incessant attacks."

Prayerfully uphold these victimized believers in your prayers as they grieve over the tragic loss of life, as well as the loss of their homes and other practical belongings, asking the Lord to minister greatly needed comfort, peace and humanitarian aid as they now work to rebuild their broken lives and communities. Also pray for the protection of the kidnapped children, in hopes that all these precious youngsters will be returned safely to their families. May the Nigerian forces and governing officials take necessary action to prevent future incidents such as these from occurring.

  • Current Ministry Projects

    VOMC works with in-country partners to encourage and strengthen persecuted Christians through a variety of methods. Christians are equipped with audio bibles to distribute to their persecutors. Christian widows receive skills training and trauma counselling as a way to provide an income for their families and heal from the trauma they’ve faced in losing their husbands. Children who have lost parents and relatives due to attacks are provided with a safe place to grow and be nurtured. Medical fees are paid for Christians who have suffered injuries due to attacks by Boko Haram and Fulani. Discipleship and vocational training are given to Muslim Background Believers to help them start their new lives spiritually and practically. The Glenn Penner Scholarship Award is used to help equip persecuted Christians completing their Masters and have a heart to share the Gospel with the lost in their community.

    Project Funds: Women’s Ministry, Bibles, Medical Fund, Families of Martyrs, Equipping the Saints, Relief & Development

  • Country Information

    Population
    230,842,743 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Hausa (30), Yoruba (15.5), Igbo (15.2), Fulani (6), Tiv (2.4), Kanuri/Beriberi (2.4), Ibibio (1.8), Izaw/Izon (1.8), Other (24.7)

    Religion (%)
    Islam (53.5), Christianity (45.9), Other (0.6)

    Leader
    President Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu (2023)

    Government type
    Federal presidential republic

    Legal system
    Mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law (in 12 northern states), and traditional law

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Nigeria

    May God minister great comfort and healing to all who have been injured or bereaved as a result of the militants' brutal attacks. In addition, pray for the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls, that they will be assured of the Lord's abiding presence as they await release from captivity. Continue to uphold President Tinubu and other members of the Nigerian government as they make further attempts to rescue the remaining girls and provide protection for vulnerable citizens. As they persevere in their endeavours to overcome terrorism, may they be granted wisdom, courage, strength and help from on high.

Nigeria News

  • Over 7,000 Christians Killed Thus Far in 2025
    Pallbearers are carrying a beautifully decorated white casket.
    Persecuted believers in Nigeria are familiar with grief. 
    Photo: Evangelical Church Winning All

    Reports of violence against Christians in Nigeria continue to multiply, with attacks from multiple sources surging in both frequency and intensity. According to a report released on August 10th, more than 7,000 Nigerian Christians had been killed within the first 220 days of 2025 – an average of 32 deaths per day. Additionally, at least 7,800 followers of Jesus were abducted for their faith, more than 19,000 churches have been destroyed, and over 1,100 Christian communities are now dealing with displacement in the aftermath of these attacks.

  • Expanding Dangers for Christians
    Video screenshot of the destruction.
    Video screenshot showing some of the
    destruction following the Benue massacre.
    Photo: Stefanos Foundation

    In recent weeks, the Voice of the Martyrs Canada produced a special two-part video series on Nigeria, highlighting the dangers facing Christians in the northern region of the country while focussing on the urgent need for prayer. If you have not yet taken the time to view these two brief but powerful videos, please do so at our country report.

    The persecution of believers in Nigeria continues to escalate, fuelled by intensifying attacks from more than six different militant groups vying for control of the nation. As a result, hundreds of Christians have been killed, injured or kidnapped in recent months. In mid-June alone, more than 200 villagers lost their lives in the state of Benue and thousands of others were displaced. While economic and cultural factors contribute to the unrest, religion remains a major catalyst of the ongoing violence. For instance, during the recent raid in Benue, eyewitnesses reported that the attackers shouted, "Allahu Akbar," as they targeted predominantly Christian communities, leaving devastation in their wake.

  • SPECIAL MEDIA PRESENTATION
    Stephen is teaching in a video preview.
    Join us in praying for our Nigerian family.

    VOMC's production team has filmed on location in Nigeria a special two-part "Persecution & Prayer Alert" video series. We now invite you to view the second part of this informative series. (To watch the previous week's video presentation, and/or to explore published written reports addressing persecution in Nigeria, visit our country report.)

  • SPECIAL MEDIA PRESENTATION
    Rev. Joseph John Hayab is praying in a video preview.
    View this inspiring call to prayer.

    The Voice of the Martyrs Canada production team has filmed on location in Nigeria a special two-part "Persecution & Prayer Alert" video series. We invite you to view this presentation, and then join us in prayer for our persecuted Nigerian brothers and sisters in Christ who are – with God's empowerment and the prayers of His people – resiliently overcoming intense persecution in this beleaguered nation.