Nigeria’s Insecurity Crisis: ECWA details scope of Christian suffering

Dr. Ayuba Asheshe, General Secretary of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), has said that there is clear evidence of a Christian genocide in Nigeria.

He said that insecurity in the country has led to the destruction of 19,100 churches, the abduction of 600 clergymen, and the deaths of thousands of Christians.

Speaking to journalists in Jos, Asheshe explained that records show about 1,200 churches are destroyed every year, which means around 100 each month or three every day. Over 16 years, this adds up to 19,100 churches.

He added that more than 600 religious leaders, including 350 pastors and 250 Catholic priests, have been kidnapped across Nigeria, with many of them killed.

Statistics from Open Doors USA show that 82% of Christians killed worldwide between October 2022 and September 2023 were Nigerians. Over 3.5 million Christians have been displaced, with their homes and churches destroyed.

According to reports from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), many Christians have been killed in Nigeria over the past 20 years, including ECWA members. Between 2023 and 2024 alone, 208 ECWA members were kidnapped, and several died in captivity.

Asheshe appealed to the government to do more to stop attacks on Christians and the burning of churches.

He praised the recent efforts by the Federal Government to improve Nigeria’s security system.

While these measures are still in the early stages, he said they show a positive step toward protecting lives, ensuring justice, and restoring citizens’ confidence in the state’s ability to defend them.