The Deadliest Place on Earth to Be a Christian: Inside Nigeria's Unending War on Believers
Nigeria is the deadliest place on earth to be a Christian, accounting for 72 percent of all Christians killed worldwide
Christians in Nigeria Live in Fear as Kidnappings and Mass Killings Continue Unchecked
Nigeria is the "deadliest place on the planet to be a Christian," according to former U.S. Ambassador for Religious Freedom Sam Brownback. New data confirms the scale of the slaughter: 3,490 of the 4,849 Christians killed globally between October 2024 and September 2025 were Nigerian. That is 72 percent of all Christian martyrs worldwide.
On January 18, 166 Christians were abducted from church worship services in Kurmin Wali village, Kaduna State. All 166 hostages were released on February 5 after government negotiations. They were transferred to a military hospital for treatment.
"The entire community remains traumatized as we continue to search for safety that no longer exists"
Innocent Yakubu, community leader in Kaduna State
In November 2025, Rev. Bobbo Paschal was kidnapped from St. Stephen Catholic Parish in Kushe Gugdu village, Kaduna State. During the abduction, church member Gideon Markus was murdered. Two other congregants remain missing. Rev. Paschal was held captive for 61 days before his release on January 17.
Nigeria Accounts for 72 Percent of All Christians Killed Worldwide
Villages across Kaduna State continue to be targeted. Aribi, Ungwan Pah, Dogon Daji, and Kurmin Lemu have all been attacked by Fulani militants in late January and early February. Multiple armed groups now operate across Nigeria: Fulani Ethnic Militia, Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province, and the emerging Lakurawa jihadist group.
The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee held a hearing on February 4 examining the crisis. Committee Chairman Chris Smith recommended sanctions and enforcement of Nigeria's Country of Particular Concern designation. The American Center for Law and Justice filed a UN petition on Nigerian Christian genocide that garnered over 517,000 signatures within 24 hours.
Nigeria ranks number 7 on Open Doors' 2026 World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most persecution. Rev. Joseph Hayab of the Christian Association of Nigeria confirmed that despite the scale of violence, the Nigerian government has failed to hold perpetrators accountable or protect Christian communities.
THE CRUSADER'S OPINION
72 percent. Nearly three out of every four Christians murdered on this planet last year were Nigerian.
Let that sink in. 166 believers kidnapped from Sunday worship. A priest held captive for two months. Entire villages emptied.
And the world still debates whether this qualifies as "persecution." It is genocide. It has a name. It has numbers. It has 517,000 signatures demanding the UN act. What are we waiting for?
TAKE ACTION
Donate to support persecuted Nigerian Christians at www.TheShepherdsShield.org
Sign the ACLJ petition for Nigerian Christian genocide recognition at aclj.org
Support Open Doors' Nigeria relief at www.opendoorsus.org
Contact your U.S. Representative and demand enforcement of Nigeria's Country of Particular Concern designation
Pray for the 166 Christians released from captivity, for Rev. Bobbo Paschal, and for all persecuted believers in Nigeria
